Police, armed forces beef up ops

KOTA KINABALU: The Government is beefing up security in Sabah, following the latest attacks involving policemen and Sulu intruders in Semporna and Tawau.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib has agreed to double the strength of army and police forces and has also given his assurance that the safety and peace of Sabah would be top priority, especially after the gunfire in Semporna on Saturday night.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman, who conveyed Najib’s concern, said he would be working closely with Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein and Defence Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to monitor all areas and not only Lahad Datu.

He said the police and the army were also gearing up operations statewide.

“I am calling for cooperation and assistance from local leaders to tone down the sentiments and the numerous rumours on what is happening in Sabah, he said.

In LAHAD DATU, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar said the security situation in the three areas where the security forces are holding off the armed intruders is under control.

“We are in a state of readiness to take further action,” he told a news conference at Felda Residence Sahabat, about 130km from here yesterday.

Present were armed forces chief Tan Sri Zulkifeli Mohd Zin, Bukit Aman internal security and public order director Datuk Salleh Mat Rashid and Sabah police commissioner Datuk Hamza Taib.

Ismail advised the people not to believe in rumours and unconfirmed reports on the situation or to make assumptions based on postings on social media networks.

He said that the police had not imposed a curfew in the areas and assured tourists of their safety.

Meanwhile, Zulkifeli said residents in Lahad Datu, Semporna and Kunak can carry out their daily activities as usual without worrying about their safety as the armed forces and the police were working closely to address the security situation in these areas.

Zulkifeli said two more battalions were deployed to several areas in the east coast of Sabah yesterday in an effort to restore public confidence.