Revise and improve security in Sabah - Wee Jeck Seng

He said relevant authorities need to take the necessary steps in improving security loopholes to ensure that the militants do not strike again.

“However, I want to point out that the security of east Sabah is not solely the government’s responsibility. Each of us, including tourists, play an important role too by reporting any suspicious activities.

“We must ensure tourists that they can travel without fear and the authorities must also do their best to secure the release of the hostages as well as strengthen regional security with the help of the local coastal residents,” he said in a press statement on Friday.

Since the invasion of Lahad Datu by Sulu gunmen in 2013, the government had formed the Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM) which covers 10 districts; Kudat, Kota Marudu, Pitas, Beluran, Sandakan, Kinabatangan, Lahad datu, Kunak, Semporna and Tawau.

The recent abduction of Chinese tourist and a Filipino worker by seven men in a resort in Semporna, Sabah highlighted the fact that the security situation in Sabah should be reviewed.

Five months before that, a Taiwanese man was murdered and his wife kidnapped at Pom Pom Island.

“The recent kidnapping case will only cause the people to lose faith in the government and as such we must thoroughly review our security procedures,” stressed Wee.

Meanwhile, Philippine soldiers gave been deployed to a remote southern island where the suspected Abu Sayyaf Islamic militants may have taken the hostages.

Armed forces spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Ramon Zagala told AFP that the gunmen are believed to have taken the women to the remote Tawi-Tawi island in Southern Philippines, specifically to the majority-Muslim town, Simunul.