Shafie defends deadly force for national security

KOTA KINABALU: The state government will not apologise for taking a strong stance on national security, says Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal.

He was referring to two men being shot dead on an island near Kunak at about 11pm on Thursday.

Security forces found two weapons believed to be owned by the two suspects, who were allegedly members of a kidnap-for-ransom group.

Shafie said based on his own experience as a former deputy defence minister, he understood the measures needed to be taken to protect the country.

“As the state security committee chairman, I have informed our forces to take stern action against all elements of threat.

“When it comes to protecting our borders, we won’t make any compromises,” he said after launching an initiative at Yayasan Sabah yesterday to provide financial aid to Sabahan students pursuing higher education.

The Parti Warisan Sabah president dismissed talk that cross-border crimes were creeping into the state again after a lull of almost two years due to the government’s announcement that it would review the ban on pump boats.

“It has nothing to do with the ban on pump boats. It’s all about intention. If there’s malicious intention, they will use other ways to enter the country, not just with pump boats but also speedboats, which are much faster,” said Shafie.

The ban was enforced several years ago following a series of cross-border crimes on the east coast, especially kidnappings.

A few months ago, Shafie said Sabah may lift the ban to help poor fishermen.