Unconfirmed reports of gunshots, explosions and warnings for people to avoid areas with large concentrations of Filipinos in Semporna, are making its rounds in Sabah's east coast.
TAWAU: Police in Semporna, where thousands of Filipinos have made their home, and in other districts along the east coast of Sabah are said to be on high alert following unconfirmed reports of an explosion in Semporna.
Local residents in the scenic seaside town are reporting a large police operation around Kg Sri Jaya after two explosions were heard.
“Bahaya, bahaya (danger, danger)” said one resident when contacted by cellphone.
Unconfirmed reports said that shots were also fired and at least one police officer was injured.
Another local living close to the seaside village when contacted also said he had heard two explosions and then a flurry of activity in the area.
He said police have surrounded the area and at least one villager said he had been unable to enter the village.
Other residents contacted have claimed that there was no fighting and that the explosions were just firecrackers going off.
Others in Semporna when contacted by phone said they heard that the incident was a fight between police and drug pedlars. Semporna has over the years seen many similar raids and clashes.
Meanwhile, it was learned that police in all the districts in the east coast have been put on high alert.
A source said that all its personnel have been ordered to report to their stations and people have been quietly advised to avoid areas where there are large concentrations of Filipinos.
‘Rumours exaggerated’
There have also been unconfirmed reports that shooting was heard in Kg Tanduo area in Lahad Datu where some 150 men claiming to be members of the Royal Army of the Sulu Sultanate are holed up.
In yesterday’s shootout 14 people were killed including two Malaysian police commandors. The death of the policemen has changed the dynamics of the 17-day stand-off between the Malaysian security forces and the Sulu soldiers staking a claim on Sabah on behalf of their Sultan Jamalul Kiram III.
Rumours of tightened security in Lahad Datu and Semporna had surfaced last evening.
But attempts today to contact the Semporna police station for confirmations were unsuccessful.
Meanwhile Sabah Tourism Minister Masidi Manjun twittered that all was calm in Semporna and that the rumours were “exaggerated”.
“Pending official statement from the police I can say that all the rumours about Semporna has been exaggerated. I have just spoken to the DO.”
Police confirm shooting
Sabah police chief Hamzah Taib has confirmed that two members of the police’s General Operations Force were injured in a shooting incident while pursuing three criminals at Kampung Simunul in Semporna.
He said that the shooting took place at 7pm when a group of 40 policemen had gone to the water village to look for some individuals who were said to be armed with several weapons.
He said the team was shot at while they were on the walkways linking the maze of houses on stilts.
Hamza said the team surrounded the village but the shooters managed to escape.
He said there was no truth in rumours widely circulated on Twitter and Facebook that the Semporna police station and the policemen were under attack.
“It is not true as I have just spoken to the district police chief. The situation is under control,” he said when met at Felda Residence Sahabat in Lahad Datu tonight.
He also explained that the incident was not related to the ongoing stand-off with the armed intruders in Kampung Tanduo.
“I advised the public not to spread rumours or unconfirmed details which could create panic.”
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