Cops uncertain if kidnap took place in Malaysian waters

KOTA KINABALU: Police are trying to ascertain whether the kidnapping of four Sarawakian crewmen occurred in Malaysian waters.

Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Abdul Rashid Harun (pic) said initial reports received from five of the released crewmen only showed that the incident happened in waters off Pulau Ligitan near Semporna on the east coast of Sabah, bordering the Philippines.

"We are not certain if the incident happened in our waters so we need to find out first," he said during a press conference here on Saturday.

He said there were enough assets at the Ligitan area and they were interviewing the released crewmen, comprising Indonesian and Myanmar nationals, for more information on the incident that occurred at about 7pm Friday.

Comm Abdul Rashid said based on the modus operandi and reports of attempted entry and kidnappings, it was clear that the criminals were changing their way of operations and were going for easy targets.

"These criminals no longer choose their victims. They will take just about anyone as long as it's easy for them to grab and leave," he said, adding the four Malaysians have been identified as Wong Teck Kang, 31; Wong Hung Sing, 34; Wong Teck Chii, 29, and Johnny Lau Jung Hien, 21.

Initial investigations stated that eight Filipino gunmen in a speedboat jumped on board the Malaysian registered vessel, MV Masfive 6, which was sailing near Ligitan Island and held them at gunpoint before forcing them to disembark.

The speedboat with the four Malaysian hostages and the gunmen were later seen speeding towards Filipino waters.

The other foreign crewmembers – three Myanmarese and two Indonesians – were left unharmed. They immediately went to the Tawau police station to lodge a police report.

No reports have been received of any ransom demands so far.