Police name four Malaysians abducted in Sabah

Sabah police commissioner Datuk Abdul Rashid Harun said the four aged between 21 and 34 were among nine crew members of a ship which was heading back to Malaysia from the Philippines.

They have been identified as Wong Teck Kang, 31; Wong Hung Sing, 34; Wong Teck Chii, 29; and Johnny Lau Jung Hien, 21.

"The five other individuals in the ship comprising Myanmar and Indonesian nationals were released by the armed group," he told reporters after a parade to mark the completion of the Constable Training Series 2/2015, here today.

Abdul Rashid said police were also investigating and gathering information including on the location of the incident.

"We must not jump to conclusions and say that it happened in our area; it possibly could have happened in international waters but because they were on the way back to Tawau, the report was lodged with us.

"The incident reportedly happened off Ligitan; the area is vast and we have our assets there. So we are investigating whether it happened in or off our waters.

"I understand that the ship and crew had been brought to Tawau and that police had taken the crew's statements. There has not been any call from the abductors for any ransom," he said.

Meanwhile in Miri, police chief ACP Junaidi Bujang said the shipping company's administrative manager lodged a report at the Miri police station last night.