Keeping alert for intruders in troubled waters

LAHAD DATU: For centuries, the seas along Sabah’s east coast were “troubled waters”. Even with the changing geo-political boundaries in post-colonial times, pirates have roamed the waters, ransacking coastal villages and seizing women who they married.

Intertwined with historical and traditional links with troubled southern Philippines, piracies, kidnap-for-ransom groups and militants with agendas of their own continue to pose a threat along the 1,733km coastline spanning from northern Kudat to southern Semporna-Tawau waters.