Share |

Saturday 16 January 2010

US warns of trouble in Sabah (UPDATED)

(Bernama) - The police have given an assurance that security patrols in the coastal areas and islands of Sabah will be intensified as a precautionary measure following a travel advisory that terrorists plan to attack tourists in the area.

Deputy Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar said tight security would always be maintained to ensure that the country was free of all types of threats that could jeopardise national security.

"I have directed the state police chief to intensify patrols along the coast and islands around Sabah especially Semporna, Mabul and Sipadan."

"We will always monitor the situation and take appropriate action, thus the people and tourists are asked to be calm and not to be worried because we are always on alert," he told Bernama when contacted.



He was commenting on a travel advisory issued by the United States Embassy, here, warning that criminal and terrorist groups were planning attacks against foreigners in the islands of Sabah.

The notice posted on the embassy's website and dated Friday, said resorts located in isolated areas of eastern Sabah posed a concern.

It urged "extreme caution" in connection with any travel in isolated areas of eastern Sabah, including Semporna and the islands of Mabul and Sipadan.

The advisory noted that the Abu Sayaf militant group, an al Qaeda-linked militant group based in the southern Philippines, which is a short boat ride from Sabah, have kidnapped foreigners from Sabah's secluded resort areas in the past.

No comments: