Esscom on high alert despite killing of kidnap leader
Published on: Monday, May 25, 2015
Lahad Datu: The East Sabah Security Command (Esscom) will continue to draw up a strategy to face remnants of the cross-border criminals despite the killing of the notorious Mindas Muktadir in Jolo last week.Esscom Commander Datuk Abdul Rashid Harun said Esscom took a serious view on the threat posed by remnants of the criminals who could jeopardise security in the East Sabah Security Zone (Esszone)."Esscom will streamline and draw up various strategies to prevent intrusion by remnants of the cross-border criminals (from the southern region of the Philippines) into Sabah via the Esszone waters using existing assets," he said.
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Abdul Rashid said this at the official opening of the Women's Volleyball Championship for the Commander's Trophy, here, Sunday.Mindas was part of the Muktadir brothers kidnap-for-ransom group responsible for the abduction of Malaysians Thien Nyuk Fun and Bernard Then Ted Fun from the Ocean King seafood restaurant in Sandakan.He was reported to have been killed in a gunfight near a wet market in Jolo town last week after he refused to surrender to the police.Mindas, known as Badong to Malaysian intelligence, had been put on the wanted list along with his five or six brothers.
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The Muktadir brothers, who are based in Tawi Tawi, are believed to be working with Abu Sayyaf groups under the control of bandits Susukan, Alhabsy Misaya, Anga Adji and Yasser Igasan and have been blamed for most of the kidnappings in Sabah waters since Nov 15, 2013.Abdul Rashid said Esscom had foiled at least six kidnapping attempts in Esszone before the abduction in Sandakan.
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He called on the people of Sabah, particularly the residents of coastal areas in Esszone, to always cooperate with Esscom in strengthening security further in the vast Esszone area.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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