Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman has described the abduction of a Chinese national early today, by five gunmen in Pulau Baik off Lahad Datu, as "an alarming threat to safety".

In a statement here, Musa, who is also state security committee chairman, said the committee had directed all parties involved in border security within the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (ESSzone) areas to strengthen monitoring.

The kidnappers armed with high-powered M-16 rifles abducted Yang Zai Lin, 34, at 2.45am. The victim had been working as a manager of a cage fish breeding company in the island, since three years ago.

It was the second incident in just over a month after a female Chinese national was kidnapped from the Singamata resort off Semporna.

Musa said drastic measures were being taken, including setting up a 'control area' within ESSzone, an order specifying a time, place and circumstances during which certain regulations applied.

"We are also looking at introducing 'curfew areas' at high-risk spots," he added.