A RECENT viral post on social media shows a group of armed men in a forest setting, with captions and comments claiming that the images were taken in several areas of Sabah's east coast, near Semporna and Lahad Datu.
The post also claims that the intruders were from a neighbouring country.
Did a group of armed men enter Sabah's east coast districts of Semporna and Lahad Datu?
VERDICT:
FALSE
The police have denied that a group of armed men had entered Sabah’s east coast Semporna and Lahad Datu districts.
Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) commander Datuk Victor Sanjos said it was fake news and there was no reason to panic as the safety in the said areas was under control.
In urging the public to be mindful of unverified information and unreliable news, he said it was vital to verify such information with security personnel for clarity, and not disrupt public order or cause panic.
He said Esscom personnel were constantly conducting security checks and patrols at strategic locations such as the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (Esszone).
“Measures including continued monitoring to detect threats and suspicious activities that could jeopardise the safety of locals and the people in the east coast have always been in practised,” Sanjos said in a statement Saturday (Aug 15).
“The public are advised to stop sharing unverified information and speculating on those claims,” he stressed.
He said the authorities take such claims seriously and will take deterrent action under Malaysian laws towards anyone found to spread fake news.
Sanjos advised the public to only refer to official authorities and sources such as the police, Esscom and the Malaysia Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) for credible information.
“Any information relating to security matters can be channeled directly to the authorities for further action,” he stated.
