Two Indonesian fishermen kidnapped off Semporna
KUALA LUMPUR: A Kidnap-forransom group may be behind the kidnapping of two Indonesian fishermen working on a local fishing vessel in Semporna waters early yesterday.
Acting Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Omar Mammah confirmed this, revealing that the abduction, involving skipper Samsul Saguni, 40, and his assistant, Usman Yunus, 35, occurred between 12am and 1am.
“We believe the kidnappers belong to a kidnap-for-ransom group and we are looking into this, including whether they are linked to the Abu Sayyaf militant group.
“It was was dark when the kidnapping occurred, but the two abductors were seen wearing masks and dark clothing.
“Both suspects were believed to be armed with M16 firearms based on the description given by a fisherman, who was hiding at the time of incident,” he said, adding that all the Indonesian fishermen had valid passports.
Omar said this at the state-level Maal Hijrah celebration at Wisma Muis here.
Present was Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal.
Omar said there were four fishermen on board when the two kidnappers stormed the fishing boat, adding that two of the fishermen hid.
He said no shooting took place and the kidnappers fled with their victims in a boat to an unknown location.
“We are not sure whether the kidnappers are still in Sabah waters, but police have launched an operation to hunt them down.”
He said Semporna was a curfew zone area, but the fishing boat’s owner, a local operator, had applied for a permit to fish during the curfew.
Omar said police would alert and update the Indonesian consulate and their counterparts on the matter.
Shafie said the state government would assist Indonesia and ensure action was taken to boost security.
“People’s lives have to be protected no matter who they are. They were abducted in our waters. It is our responsibility to assist our neighbour.
“I will call for follow-up action. Although they are Indonesians, we will assist in strengthening patrols and gathering intelligence on their whereabouts so action can be taken,” he said.
This is the first kidnapping incident in Sabah waters in almost two years. The last one on Dec 8, 2016 saw security forces gunning down three abductors and apprehending two after an exchange of fire in Semporna waters.