Gunfire breaks out in Semporna as Najib visits Sabah

A fatal gunfire exchange was reported in Semporna last night, just as Prime Minister Najib Razak was in Kota Kinabalu last night for his state visit.

According to a source in Sabah this morning, a policeman was reported killed and another is believed to be abducted.

Eight gunmen men in military uniform, suspected to be Filipino, were reported landing on Mabul Island off Semporna at around 11.30pm.

According to the source, the police were tipped off by locals who heard gunfire at the eatery and office of a resort on the island.

This incident follows a string of kidnappings since the major Suluk intrusion last year, with the last three taking place on a monthly basis discounting a failed attempt on July 7.

It also comes in the face of Najib's revamp of the Sabah Eastern Security Command (Esscom) after severe criticism over the government's failure to stem kidnappings despite setting up the security zone and spending millions.

According to Bernama, Najib was in the state capital on the other side of the state speaking to BN Sabah leaders to shore up the coalition's "fixed deposit", promising goodies from Petronas.

[More to follow]