Tawau: Malaysia and Indonesia will be sharing information as a precautionary step after rumours surfaced that Tawau-Nunukan waters are being used as a sea route by ISIS terrorists to enter the Philippines.Sabah Marine Police Acting Commander Supt Norzaid Mohammad Said said information sharing between the nations is needed because of the shared problem, although so far, no arrest had been made."It does not matter whether the allegation has a basis or not. We will accept related information because it is our responsibility to safeguard our borders," he said.
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Security forces are always committed to ensuring that the borders are secured, he said during the Rendezvous (RV) Programme in Pulau Sebatik-Nunukan, Wednesday.Norzaid led the Malaysian delegation in the programme while Nunukan Police Chief H. Untung Mulyono led the Indonesian delegation.
Mulyono, in his statement, said that security in his country's borders and all entry points have been tightened as a step to prevent the IS threat.The inspection, he said would include Malaysians and Indonesians who want to go to the Philippines, focusing on their purpose of visit.
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He said this is because Indonesian police had been told that Pulau Sebatik is being used as a route to the Philippines by ISIS.In the meantime, the programme saw an open discussion between the Sabah marine police and Indonesian police with regards to potential collaboration and information exchange.
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Among issues discussed were drug smuggling, food smuggling, illegal immigration and various cross-border crimes between Tawau and Nunukan.The Malaysian delegation was joined by 68 people including police, Fisheries Department, Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry and the media, while the Indonesians were 18-people strong consisting of Indonesian police, mobile brigade and the media. - Lagatah Toyos
