No evidence of armed men infiltrating Lahad Datu, say Sabah police

KOTA KINABALU: There is no proof that a group of armed men in camouflage attire infiltrated into Sabah’s Tambisan waters off Lahad Datu district recently, says police.

Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Idris Abdullah said they have conducted their investigations following information from a supposed witness, who claimed to have seen a group of about 10 armed men entering Tambisan on Jan 28.

“We gathered our intelligence and other sources to check on the information, and so far found no proof or indication of such activities,” he said.

However, security forces will continue to be on alert for any threats, he said.

Idris said the security situation in eastern Sabah was under control.

“There is no need to worry, we are always ready to face any threats,” he said.

Last week, a man reported that he saw a group of armed men in camouflage attire - supposedly from the southern Philippines - entering Lahad Datu via Long Patau in Tambisan.

Last year, there were claims of a secret plan to invade Sabah by the Sulu militia.

A meeting purportedly attended by top government officials and others on this alleged plot was said to have been held in the Philippines.

However, Malaysian security forces explained that the meeting held was actually to discuss maritime security among other official matters.

In 2013, over 200 armed Sulu militants had entered Sabah via Lahad Datu, resulting in a month-long standoff and armed skirmishes in their bid to forcefully claim Sabah.