Blockade around Tanjung Labian as more gunmen reported landing

Policemen man a road block on a street leading to Kampung Tanduo, in Felda Sahabat outside Lahad Datu February 18, 2013. — Reuters picKUALA LUMPUR, March 4 ― Security forces have blocked off access into a seaside village in Tanjung Batu, near Lahad Datu, Sabah as unconfirmed sightings of gunmen in military fatigues emerged, several media reported this afternoon.

The Borneo Insider news portal reported unverified news of a group of 50 heavily-armed men landing near Felda Sahabat on Sabah’s east coast, and taking several hostages.

Malaysia’s security officials have set up their operations centre in Felda Sahabat where they are keeping a close watch around-the-clock on encounters between police personnel and groups of intruders, suspected to be Filipino Muslim militants linked to a Sulu clan claiming ownership of Sabah.

The masterminds behind the armed intruders are spreading rumours to lower the morale of Malaysia’s security forces, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar was reported saying by news portal Malaysiakini.

“This is a challenging time for the police to serve well.

“When such news coming out, I see it as an attempt to lower the police morale but we will not be deceived by such ploy,” the police chief reportedly said, in reply to speculation a police officer has been taken into custody after showing sympathy to the foreign intruders.

Traffic into and out of Tanjung Batu has been blocked off as at 2pm today, The Star Online reported. Villagers were not allowed to leave or enter their homes.

The Tanjung Batu village is about 30km from Kampung Tanduo where a militant group led by Agbimuddin Kiram, a self-proclaimed crown prince and heir to the Sulu sultanate, had occupied since entering Sabah three weeks ago on February 9.

Police were also reported to be patrolling another seaside village near Semporna, some 150km away from Lahad Datu, to search for more armed Sulu intruders believed to have fled from a gunfight last Saturday in the nearby Siminul village.

Jittery shopkeepers in Kampung Salimbungan pulled down their shutters as early as 1.30pm today, and residents in the settlement, about 5km from Semporna town were also told to leave the area as police commandos took up position around town, The Star Online reported.

Several Filipino Muslim militant factions, including followers of the self-professed Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) were reported by Philippine media to have attacked police stations and military trucks.

Four Malaysian officials were reported by Philippine radio station, dzrh, to have been taken hostage over the weekend following violent clashes between Malaysian security forces and Filipino militants in Semporna that claimed the lives of 19 men.