Fatal shootout in Pulau Mabul as Najib visits Sabah

 

A fatal gunfire exchange was reported in Semporna last night, just as Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak was in Kota Kinabalu last night drumming up his coalition's morale.

According to a source in Sabah this morning, a marine police Corporal Rajah Jamuan was reported killed, while his colleague Constable Zakia Aleip is believed to be have been abducted.

Eight gunmen in military uniform, suspected to be Filipinos, were reported landing on Mabul Island off Semporna at 11.10pm.

According to the source, the police were tipped off by locals who heard gunfire at the eatery and office of a resort on the island.

It is also understood that a semi-automatic M16 rifle was missing following the attack.

This incident follows a string of kidnappings since the major Sulu incursion last year, with the last three taking place on a monthly basis discounting a failed attempt on July 7.

It also comes in the face of Najib's revamp of the Sabah Eastern Security Command (Esscom) after severe criticism over the government's failure to stem kidnappings despite setting up the security zone and spending millions.

According to Bernama, Najib was in the state capital on the other side of the state speaking to Sabah BN leaders to shore up the coalition's "fixed deposit", promising goodies from Petronas.

The PM has since left Sabah for his itinerary in Pahang today, and later in the afternoon tweeted, "My condolences to the family of Corporal Rajah Jamuan who fell in Mabul.

"We will do all we can to find and rescue Constable Zakia Aleip."

'Security forces being targetted'

Meanwhile according to Bernama, newly-appointed Esscom operations director Abdul Rashid Harun told the national news agency today the insurgents used heavy arms in the ambush when the marine policemen were at the Mabul Water Bungalow Resort, Pulau Mabul.    

Speaking to reporters in Semporna, Abd Rashid said in the attack, the suspects were attired in jungle fatigue pants, black coloured clothes and their face covered.    

According to Abdul Rashid, after the attack, the group fled to the waters of a neighbouring country.      -

"The group had wanted to kidnap someone at the resort but attacked the two policemen instead.

"This is the first fatality involving a security force personnel in preventing a kidnap here," he said

He did not rule out the possibility of the criminals targeting Malaysian security members following measures, including strict enforcement, by the Malaysian authorities in the country's territorial waters.   

"I want to remind members from all security agencies in the Esscom area to be more careful and always to be prepared for any eventualities," he added.

Local representatives have been slamming the government for not taking the Sabah east coast security situation seriously.

Both State Reform Party (Star Sabah) chairperson Jeffrey Kitingan and Angkatan Perubahan Sabah (APS) chief and Tamparuli assemblyperson Wilfred Bumburing have warned that foreigners with Malaysian ICs found in the security forces pose a great danger.

Bumburing in April also lamented the government had ignored numerous calls for reinforcements while intruders into Sabah's maritime border carried out kidnapping after kidnapping.

Security boost hoorah shortlived

Ironically Sabah Chief Minister Musa Aman at an event with Najib last night hailed the Esscom restructuring exercise saying it brings hope the east coast would be "safeguarded effectively". 

The latest incursion also comes no sooner when Najib at the same event announced reinforcements to secure the troubled maritime border.

Bernama reported Najib saying the Bunga Mas 5 naval vessel owned by Malaysia International Shipping Corporation Berhad, will be stationed in Sabah's east coast off waters bordering the Philippines, to boost ESSCom's strength.   

He said the vessel which would function as the 'mother ship' would be manned by a security force team and equipped with speed boats to curb cross border crime.   

"But the cooperation of the people is also important. If we leak information to the enemy, then they might be able to elude the defence system in the state.

"I hope this can be avoided. Otherwise, any system however modern can be infiltrated if someone is there to give them the information," he cautioned.   

He said this at a gathering and breaking of fast with state and federal leaders here tonight.   

Najib who is also finance minister said two radar-equipped Petronas oil rigs would also be stationed off Semporna and Lahad Datu waters as the hindmost defence line.     -

He said the whole set up would be implemented within six months in line with its recent restructuring.   

Najib said as national security director, he would be returning to Sabah again soon for a working visit and to reveal other initiatives on the development and security of the state.

Additional reporting by Gary Louis Supi