Published on: Tuesday, February 09, 2010 |
Semporna: The manager and supervisor, aged 25 and 40, of a seaweed cultivation farm, here, are believed to have been abducted by four armed robbers over a salary dispute in Pulau Sepangkat, eight nautical miles off here, Monday.
Sabah Commissioner Police, Datuk Noor Rashid Ibrahim, said the suspects had gone to the seaweed cultivation centre in a pump boat where two of the suspects, armed with rifle and machete, detained the two local men.
"The reason they entered the area was to rob É because based on our preliminary investigation, there was a dispute regarding the workers' payment and salary.
"This is not an Abu Sayaf organisation but a local gang. Police believe this is the work of insiders because they knew very well the way in and out of the area," he told a press conference at State Police Headquarters, Kepayan, Monday.
The 50-acres seaweed farm, belonging to a company here, is surrounded with lines where seaweed are hung underwater for cultivation.
The sea level was 0.7 meter deep when the incident occurred.
"Police were alerted at 1.30am (Monday). We had three boats patrolling the area but we could not enter as the waters were shallow and it is a coral area," he said, adding that the suspects had escaped with their boat.
Noor Rashid also said the suspects had asked for money before detaining the two victims.
However, no ransom was asked.
"We are confident that they (suspects and victims) are still around Sabah waters and we are increasing our patrols everywhere.
We are confident we can get them É it's a matter of time," he said.
The case would be investigated under Section 395 and 397 of the Penal Code for armed robbery.
