Home Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said additional security forces had been deployed to the area where two Malaysians had been kidnapped at 7.40pm from a seafood restaurant in Jalan Batu Sapi, Sandakan, Sabah, today.
He said no arrest had been made but the security forces under the Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) were on high alert.
The coast guard, said Ahmad Zahid, had also been deployed to assist in cordoning off the area.
He said although the boat believed to have been used in the kidnapping was seen heading towards the Philippines, it was believed to be still in Malaysian waters.
“No demands have been made as of yet and no injuries have been reported.
“The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) will be working closely with the Philippine authorities on the matter,” he told reporters during a media night hosted by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak here tonight.
Without saying a word, the gunmen pointed their weapons at the diners, grabbing Bernard, who was seated facing the sea, and Thien, who was standing at the counter, and fled the area.
The restaurant is located by the sea in the middle of Sandakan town, and according to Chung, who is also the restaurant co-owner, there were about 100 people in the restaurant at the time, including children.
Strangely, Chung said the abductors were not even bothered with money, since they left without even taking any from the cash box at the counter.
It was learnt that after the abduction, customers left, leaving their cars behind.
“I overheard one of the customers saying that at least two more people were seen waiting in the boat. They were saying that the boat was rather old.
“After lodging police report, I don’t know what else to do. I guess I have to wait by the phone should the abductors call for ransom money,” said Chung.
Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Jalaluddin Abdul Rahman has yet to make an official statement, adding that he was still compiling reports on the incident.
Sandakan is among the 10 districts under the Eastern Sabah Security Command. The other nine are Kudat, Kota Marudu, Pitas, Beluran, Kinabatangan, Lahad Datu,Kunak, Semporna and Tawau.
Source: The Rakyat Post
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