Police: Security situation ‘under control’

IGP Ismail Omar says the police and the army are in 'a state of readiness' for any eventualities.

LAHAD DATU: The security situation in three areas where the security forces are holding off Filipino armed intruders are under control, according to Inspector-General of Police Ismail Omar.

“I have called the armed forces chief (Zulkifili Mohd Zin) to strengthen our position over incidents involving the armed intruders in three areas.

“We are in a state of readiness to take further action,” he told reporters at the Felda Residence Sahabat, about 130 km from here.

Also present were Zulkifili, Bukit Aman internal security and public order director Salleh Mat Rashid and Sabah police commissioner Hamza Taib.

The areas are Lahad Datu, Semporna and Kunak.

Three armed intrudes were hauled up by the security forces in Kampung Tanduo, Lahad Datu as they tried to leave the cordoned-off area, five policemen were shot dead in Kampung Seri Jaya Simunul, Semporna, and 10 armed intruders were sighted in Kampung Lumalong and Kampung Dasar Lama in Kunak.

Ismail asked the people not to believe rumours and unconfirmed reports on the situation or make assumptions based on postings on social media networks.

He said the police had not imposed a curfew in the areas and assured tourists of their safety.

Meanwhile, Zulkifeli said Lahad Datu, Semporna and Kunak residents should go about their daily activities as usual without worrying about their safety for the armed forces were working closely with the police to address the security situation there.

“The IPG and I are mapping out operations and we can handle this situation by enforcing tight security,” he said.

Zulkifeli said two more battalions were deployed in several areas in the east coast of Sabah today in an effort to restore public confidence.

Bernama