The waters off the coast of Sabah bordering southern Philippines
have been touted as the "wild wild east" by security experts.
The photo of four Malaysia hostages posted on Facebook.
The photo of four Malaysia hostages posted on Facebook.
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian police have confirmed that an
image uploaded on Facebook is that of four Malaysians kidnapped by
gunmen near Pulau Ligitan off the east coast of Sabah on Apr 1.
On Friday (Apr 15), Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar said they were aware of the Facebook account under the name 'Victor Troy Poz' and were carrying out an investigation.
"The police are investigating to verify whether the Facebook account was created in the country or abroad," he said, when contacted by Bernama.
The image, uploaded to Facebook on Apr 10, shows four people in a squatting position holding a piece of paper with the words 'Victor Troy' and the date Apr 8 written on it.
Previously on Thursday, Mr Khald also confirmed that the four Malaysian crewmen are still alive. He added that his team and their Filipino counterparts are working to secure their release, but did not discuss ransom details.
"I am not going to comment on ransoms because that will harm the victims - they are still alive," Mr Khalid Abu Bakar said.
WATERS OFF COAST OF SABAH THE "WILD WILD EAST"
The waters off the coast of Sabah bordering southern Philippines have been touted as the "wild wild east" by security experts. Decades of lawlessness have spawned militant groupings like the Abu Sayyaf, known for its pattern of kidnapping people to raise money for its activities.
The militants usually target tourists and locals in coastal towns and resort islands. But on Friday night, four Indonesian sailors were kidnapped, and just two weeks ago, on Apr 1, the four Malaysian crewmen in the photograph were abducted.
The four Malaysians were reportedly taken away at gunpoint from their tugboat to the island of Jolo in southern Philippines .
The Philippines army later launched a full assault on Abu Sayyaf's stronghold in Basilan. At least 18 soldiers were killed, along with five militants.
The abduction of the four Malaysians has prompted some quarters to renew calls for Malaysia to sever diplomatic ties with Manila for its failure to act against the Abu Sayyaf.
Acting on its own, the Sabah state government has halted all sea trade with southern Philippines including planned ferry services.
"The barter trade is suspended until such time we think it's appropriate, what's important is what is good for the people and security," said Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Joseph Pairin Kitingan.
But the locals are questioning the effectiveness of such a measure, given that Sabah is a net exporter of goods to southern Philippines
"ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITIES' EQUIPMENT TOO OLD TO HANDLE THREATS"
A Sabahan Member of Parliament has also raised concerns about the ability of enforcement authorities to handle such security threat.
"I was made to understand our assets are very old , the models are old, under staffed, the assets are worn and fallen into disrepair, they are out run by small pump boats even, they have to upgrade all these assets," Putatan MP Marcos Mojigoh said.
Nevertheless, the Malaysian navy and the maritime enforcement agency are working hand in hand to secure Sabah's coastlines including setting up more police outposts and adding new assets to beef up its force.
On Friday (Apr 15), Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar said they were aware of the Facebook account under the name 'Victor Troy Poz' and were carrying out an investigation.
"The police are investigating to verify whether the Facebook account was created in the country or abroad," he said, when contacted by Bernama.
The image, uploaded to Facebook on Apr 10, shows four people in a squatting position holding a piece of paper with the words 'Victor Troy' and the date Apr 8 written on it.
Previously on Thursday, Mr Khald also confirmed that the four Malaysian crewmen are still alive. He added that his team and their Filipino counterparts are working to secure their release, but did not discuss ransom details.
"I am not going to comment on ransoms because that will harm the victims - they are still alive," Mr Khalid Abu Bakar said.
WATERS OFF COAST OF SABAH THE "WILD WILD EAST"
The waters off the coast of Sabah bordering southern Philippines have been touted as the "wild wild east" by security experts. Decades of lawlessness have spawned militant groupings like the Abu Sayyaf, known for its pattern of kidnapping people to raise money for its activities.
The militants usually target tourists and locals in coastal towns and resort islands. But on Friday night, four Indonesian sailors were kidnapped, and just two weeks ago, on Apr 1, the four Malaysian crewmen in the photograph were abducted.
The four Malaysians were reportedly taken away at gunpoint from their tugboat to the island of Jolo in southern Philippines .
The Philippines army later launched a full assault on Abu Sayyaf's stronghold in Basilan. At least 18 soldiers were killed, along with five militants.
The abduction of the four Malaysians has prompted some quarters to renew calls for Malaysia to sever diplomatic ties with Manila for its failure to act against the Abu Sayyaf.
Acting on its own, the Sabah state government has halted all sea trade with southern Philippines including planned ferry services.
"The barter trade is suspended until such time we think it's appropriate, what's important is what is good for the people and security," said Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Joseph Pairin Kitingan.
But the locals are questioning the effectiveness of such a measure, given that Sabah is a net exporter of goods to southern Philippines
"ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITIES' EQUIPMENT TOO OLD TO HANDLE THREATS"
A Sabahan Member of Parliament has also raised concerns about the ability of enforcement authorities to handle such security threat.
"I was made to understand our assets are very old , the models are old, under staffed, the assets are worn and fallen into disrepair, they are out run by small pump boats even, they have to upgrade all these assets," Putatan MP Marcos Mojigoh said.
Nevertheless, the Malaysian navy and the maritime enforcement agency are working hand in hand to secure Sabah's coastlines including setting up more police outposts and adding new assets to beef up its force.
- BERNAMA/CNA/av
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