Sabah kidnapping: Police yet to get information on ransom demand - Khalid

The police have not been received any information on demand for ransom from the group of eight armed men, who abducted four Malaysians in the waters of Semporna, Sabah early last night.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said the police were still determining whether the abduction involved cross border crime.

"We are still investigating if the abduction involved the Abu Sayyaf group," he said when contacted Bernama here, today.

Commenting on the security in Sabah waters, he said the waters at the southern Philippines and the East Coast border was not safe.

Hence, Khalid suggested that any form of assistance, trade and the supply of essential goods from Sabah to the southern Philippines be suspended immediately for safety reasons.

He said such activities made it difficulty for the security forces to monitor the area more extensively.

Four Malaysians were abducted by eight armed men in the waters of Semporna, Sabah while returning to Malaysia from the Philippines last night.

READ: Police name four Malaysians abducted in Sabah

READ: Four Malaysians abducted in Sabah waters

The four men from Sibu, aged between 21 and 34, were working onboard the ship registered as 'Masfive 6' which had transported timber from Malaysia to Manila in 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.

Following the incident, the shipping company's administrative manager lodged a report at the Miri police station last night.

A copy of the police report was faxed to the operations room of the Sabah police contingent headquarters to follow up there.