Three suspected cross-border kidnap group informants nabbed in Sabah waters

KOTA KINABALU: Malaysian security forces have arrested three men whom they believe were informants for trans-border criminals operating in Malaysian and Philippine waters.

Eastern Sabah Security Command chief Datuk Rashid Harun said the trio were arrested in waters near Pulau Mabul, off Semporna district at about 8.30pm on Wednesday.

They were detained for contravening a dusk-to-dawn curfew.

He said Malaysian security personnel seized a mobile phone from one of the men.

Upon inspection, the phone contained an incriminating message warning the receiver not to enter Malaysian waters due to the pervasive presence of Malaysian security forces.

Also seized was cash totalling RM1,890, a global positioning system (GPS) device, a note book and wallets.

He said two of the men possessed valid identification documents while the third had a late registration status document.