KOTA KINABALU: Three Indonesian fishermen are feared to have been kidnapped from a Malaysian fishing boat in the waters off Lahad Datu close to the sea border with southern Philippines.
It is believed that seven kidnap-for-ransom masked gunmen in two pump boats boarded two fishing vessels at noon on Monday (Sept 23).
The gunmen fired at the crew and ordered the three fishermen to board their pump boat.
None of the crew in the second fishing boat was abducted.
The gunmen and their hostages are believed to be headed towards the chain of Tawi Tawi islands in southern Philippines that straddles Sabah waters.
Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal said that he was informed about the incident and noted that it occurred at Tambisan where previous incidents of kidnapping had happened.
Shafie said the area seemed to be not fully monitored.
"We need to take measures," he said.
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