Cops looking for solid proof
Published on: Wednesday, July 10, 2019
By: Hayati Dzulkifli
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Police are investigating the deaths of two Chinese tourists and a dive instructor last Friday, that have been linked to fish bombing based on circumstantial evidence found at the scene off Semporna waters.
State Police Commissioner Datuk Omar Mammah (pic) said police could not make conclusion based on assumptions that the three divers died because of fish bombing as no one heard any explosion at the scene.
ADVERTISEMENT
In fact, police investigation did show that several tourists were about 100 metres from the scene and did not hear any explosion.
“We are investigating the case based on circumstantial evidence that have linked it with the impact of fish bombing activities found at the scene. First, the witnesses, who went to rescue the three victims saw bubbles coming up from under the sea.
“Second, there were dead fishes floating on the surface and some damaged corals. Third, a witness informed that some of the broken corals were also found on the body of one of the two tourists. Furthermore, the police also discovered shards of broken bottle at the scene,” he said when commenting on latest developments of the July 5 tragedy.
Omar said this at a press conference after opening the July monthly assembly of Sabah Police at its Sabah Police Contingent in Kapayan, Tuesday.
ADVERTISEMENT
The paper reported on Sunday, that the deceased have been identified as IMM13 holder cum diver instructor Abdul Zainal Abdun, 30, and Chinese nationals Zhao Zheng and Xu Yingjie, both 26. They were diving near Kalapuan Island in Semporna when it happened between 2.30pm and 3.30pm.
Omar was also reported as saying that police interviewed several other tourists from China who were in nearby waters but did not hear any explosion when they arrived at 2pm, but one small fishing boat lingering around.
ADVERTISEMENT
He was reported as saying that the diver instructor told the boatman to return to the jetty and to take additional dive tanks and the boatman did as he was told and left them at 2.30pm. An hour later, he returned to fetch the divers and that was when he saw a lot of bubbles coming from underwater.
According to Omar, the boatman and his assistant who transported the three divers to the scene have been detained to facilitate investigations. They were relatives of deceased dive instructor, Zainal.
Omar said he was made to understand that the families of the two deceased Chinese tourists are in Tawau to identify the bodies before the post mortem is carried out.
“An operation to track down the suspects is being carried out by Marine Police which saw the detention of 10 people and the inspection of 95 fishing boats off Semporna, as well as in Lahad Datu and Kunak.
Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
Daily Express Malaysia
