It has been five days since the police announced that 10 armed intruders were spotted in Kunak - a sleepy town about 160km from Kampung Tanduo battleground - but there has been little development since.
On Sunday, inspector-general of police Ismail Omar claimed that 10 men, three in military fatigues, were spotted in Kampung Lormalong and Kampung Dasar Lama the night before.
Now, the police believe that this was never the case.
"It was not true, it was a rumour. There was a misunderstanding in the village, the villagers were afraid and fled," Kunak district police chief Razali Mahmud toldMalaysiakini when contacted.
Razali said that his men had scoured the area, but were unable to find any sign of the armed intruders.
When reminded of Ismail's announcement, Razali replied: "Maybe it was yet to be confirmed at that time. Or maybe, (the intruders) had moved elsewhere. We don't know."
Malaysiakini visited both villages yesterday. The jittery residents weren't unable to provide eyewitnesses.
Schools shut
However, Kampung Dasar Lama chief Nukallan Antam insisted that what the police chief had reported were not mere rumours.
"My friend told me that he (the intruder) was in his house. When he got home, (the intruder) was already inside the house... He saw (the intruder) wearing military uniform," he said.
Rumours or otherwise, schools in the Kunak vicinity were ordered shut from Monday to Wednesday.
Nakallan said he did not see the intruder, but there were several villagers who did. He also insisted that the intrusion happened only in Kampung Dasar Lama.
Home to about 700 Bajau folk, Kampung Dasar Lama and Kampung Lormalong are adjacent to each other, separated only by a road, which may explain the confusion in initial reports.
Nukallan, who owns a 12-acre oil palm estate near the village, pointed out that there was a river nearby which likely provided access to the intruders.
On Sunday, inspector-general of police Ismail Omar claimed that 10 men, three in military fatigues, were spotted in Kampung Lormalong and Kampung Dasar Lama the night before.
Now, the police believe that this was never the case."It was not true, it was a rumour. There was a misunderstanding in the village, the villagers were afraid and fled," Kunak district police chief Razali Mahmud toldMalaysiakini when contacted.
Razali said that his men had scoured the area, but were unable to find any sign of the armed intruders.
When reminded of Ismail's announcement, Razali replied: "Maybe it was yet to be confirmed at that time. Or maybe, (the intruders) had moved elsewhere. We don't know."
Malaysiakini visited both villages yesterday. The jittery residents weren't unable to provide eyewitnesses.
Schools shut
However, Kampung Dasar Lama chief Nukallan Antam insisted that what the police chief had reported were not mere rumours.
"My friend told me that he (the intruder) was in his house. When he got home, (the intruder) was already inside the house... He saw (the intruder) wearing military uniform," he said.Rumours or otherwise, schools in the Kunak vicinity were ordered shut from Monday to Wednesday.
Nakallan said he did not see the intruder, but there were several villagers who did. He also insisted that the intrusion happened only in Kampung Dasar Lama.
Home to about 700 Bajau folk, Kampung Dasar Lama and Kampung Lormalong are adjacent to each other, separated only by a road, which may explain the confusion in initial reports.Nukallan, who owns a 12-acre oil palm estate near the village, pointed out that there was a river nearby which likely provided access to the intruders.
Fear persists
Upon realising that there were armed intruders in their midst, the villagers fled. Nukallan, being the village chief, and his family however stayed put.
"We don't know exactly how they got in. The villagers heard some noise and fled. We don't feel safe here," said Nukallan, a father of four.
He was the one who lodged the police report on the incident.
Some villagers toldMalaysiakini that they managed to return the night after the alleged intrusion. They noted that some of their neighbours had yet to return out of fear, leaving behind empty houses.
Nukallan said that in addition to lax coastal patrols, the absence of a police beat base in the vicinity had also contributed to the unease.
The nearest police station is 8km away.
Razali said that the police do perform regular patrols in the area but could not reveal details due to security concerns.
Kunak is sandwiched between Lahad Datu and Semporna, both flashpoints over the past week between security forces and armed intruders.
Upon realising that there were armed intruders in their midst, the villagers fled. Nukallan, being the village chief, and his family however stayed put.
"We don't know exactly how they got in. The villagers heard some noise and fled. We don't feel safe here," said Nukallan, a father of four.
He was the one who lodged the police report on the incident.
Some villagers toldMalaysiakini that they managed to return the night after the alleged intrusion. They noted that some of their neighbours had yet to return out of fear, leaving behind empty houses.Nukallan said that in addition to lax coastal patrols, the absence of a police beat base in the vicinity had also contributed to the unease.
The nearest police station is 8km away.
Razali said that the police do perform regular patrols in the area but could not reveal details due to security concerns.
Kunak is sandwiched between Lahad Datu and Semporna, both flashpoints over the past week between security forces and armed intruders.
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