Kidnapping off K'batangan?

Sandakan: An Indonesian skipper is believed to have been kidnapped by a group of gunmen in waters off Kinabatangan, near here. Daily Express efforts to obtain confirmation from police, however, proved futile. It was said that the man was on a fishing boat with two crew when approached by the gunmen who took him hostage, Wednesday.

The two crew who were not abducted subsequently lodged a report Friday afternoon.

Several kidnappings have been reported in waters off Sabah over the past months.

In July this year, three Indonesians were abducted from a trawler in Lahad Datu waters near Sinakut, about 2.6 nautical miles from shore.

SPONSORED CONTENT

Sabah revenue hits RM6.97 billion: Hajiji says GRS State Government may see full term

Kota Kinabalu: The Sabah Government continued its momentum in managing the economy in line with the commitment and spirit of the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) when it posted record high state revenue of RM6.973 billion last year.

The July kidnapping took place within a month of the release of four Sarawakian sailors by Abu Sayyaf gunmen.

The four, part of the crew of a tugboat travelling between Tawau and the Philippines, were abducted in the international waters off Ligitan, near Semporna, on April 1.

Abu Sayyaf, a group linked to the Islamic State, have become notorious for kidnapping, earning millions of dollars in ransom. The militants regularly abduct foreigners and locals to extort money for their release.

In May, the Abu Sayyaf released 14 Indonesian sailors who had been kidnapped in two high-seas raids similar to the abduction of the Malaysians.

The kidnappings prompted Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines to launch joint patrols in their waters and set up a security hotline.

Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.

Daily Express Malaysia

In April, the Abu Sayyaf beheaded two Canadians after the deadline for paying a ransom of US$6.4 million for each passed.

In November last year, they killed a Malaysian, Bernard Then, from Sarawak, who was kidnapped together with a Malaysian woman at a restaurant in Sandakan, but the woman was later freed.

Try 1 month for RM 18.00

Try 1 month for RM 18.00

Try 1 month for RM 18.00