Hisham: Do not take Sabah security lightly

KOTA KINABALU: The recent cases of abductions in Sabah's east coast should be a reminder for everyone not to take security lightly, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishamuddin Tun Hussein said.

He said the two incidents of kidnapping were a reminder that there were still measures that needed to be taken to prevent a recurrence of such incidents.

"But we need the involvement of all quarters to improve security in Sabah's east coast.

"Some believe that last year's armed intrusion in Lahad Datu is a thing of the past but the recent abductions is reminder that we have to constantly be vigilant," he said.

Hishammuddin said the security forces were reassesing the locations for the deployment of their assets such as patrol vessels.

He said certain islands and resorts had been identified as strategic locations for the deployment of these assets.

He said the use of abandoned offshore petroleum production platforms as forward operating bases for security forces was an approach being taken to beef up security.

"The measures are also to tackle other safety issues including human trafficking, smuggling and the armed intrusion," he said after attending a security briefing in Tawau on Saturday.

Chinese tourist Gao Huayun, 29, and Filipino hotel worker Marcy Dayawan, 40, were abducted from the Singamata Reef Resort near Semporna by gunmen on April 2. 

They were released by Abu Sayyaf gunmen in the southern Philippine island of Jolo May 30.

On May 6, fish farm manager Yang Zailin was abducted from Pulau Baik near Lahad Datu and have yet to be released.