Wailing sirens and curfew turn out to be rumours

Kota Kinabalu: News of wailing sirens over an impending attack by armed men from the Southern Philippines in Kudat spread like wildfire on WhatsApp on Thursday. But the ground situation is far from what was described by certain alarmed individuals, said government officer Asdari Beluot, who said there was nothing out of the ordinary in the northern district.

"Everything here is calm, nothing has happened," said Asdari.

He was not aware of any sirens and while he drove past the local police station, "everything seemed peaceful."

"A lot of people received the WhatsApp message saying there will be "mundu" (pirates). I'm not sure, it could be only rumours, because there is no emergency here," he said. He said the local Ramadan Bazaar market was also packed like usual.

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Asdari, a senior branch officer at a State statutory body and a seasoned diver said any possible intrusion from the sea would be risky now because the waves are choppy. Efforts to contact the local police station however failed.

In TAWAU, district Police Chief ACP Awang Besar Dullah denied a curfew had been enforced at the District Community Nursing College, here, contrary to what had been widely spread via WhatsApp and other social media.

Police have never issued a curfew order at the said college, he said, advising the public not to panic when receiving uncertain information or rumours spread by irresponsible quarters.

"If there's a curfew order issued, it may only involve water areas and not the inland areas," he assured.

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Awang Besar advised the public to refer to the relevant authority for verification if they receive such information, as well as to channel any such information to the authority, particularly the police, so necessary action can be taken.

"We always welcome the public to channel information to the nearest police station or by dialing our Hotline at 089-772121," he said.

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