Sabah’s east coast on high alert

KUALA LUMPUR, March 1 — Sabah’s east coast has been put on high security alert following an earlier shootout in Lahad Datu today between armed Filipino rebels and the police that has killed at least two Malaysian commandos and 10 intruders.

Semporna district police chief Deputy Supt Firdaus Francis Abdullah was reported by The Star Online as saying they are on standing by with other security agencies for further action. 

“We have yet to receive any emergency order from the higher authorities,” he was quoted saying by the news portal.

Firdaus was reported as urging residents there to stay calm as the alert was only a precaution.

“Many are worried that the problem would spread to Semporna, but actually there is no need to worry here as the Sulu gunmen have been cornered in Lahad Datu,” he was reported said.

Semporna and Lahad Datu, which are both on Sabah’s east coast, have faced attacks in the 1980s and 1990s primarily from pirates in southern Philippines, the news portal reported.