Semporna gunmen could be fuel smugglers

LABUAN: The suspects involved in a fierce gunbattle with Customs personnel in Semporna waters on Friday are believed to be fuel smugglers.

Customs deputy director-general Datuk Abdul Latif Abdul Kadir said it was also the first shootout involving Customs personnel this year.

“We are grateful that none of our personnel was injured and there was no damage to our asset in the incident. Our personnel lodged a report at the Semporna police station soon after the incident,” he said at the Labuan Customs Community Hall in Kg Bukit Kuda.

Relating the incident to the media, Abdul Latif said that acting on a tip-off from the public, a five-man team from the Lahad Datu marine Customs was dispatched to Pulau Omadal using an interceptor boat.

He said on approaching Pulau Bohey Dulang, they spotted a suspicious-looking blue and white-striped wooden boat with seven people on board.

“Our personnel switched on the beacon light with siren and tried to intercept the boat which was speeding at between 25 and 30 knots. However, it suddenly came to a halt and the people on the boat started shooting at our personnel from about 200m away.

“The Customs personnel stopped their boat and returned fire to protect themselves,” he said.

As the suspected smugglers fled towards international waters, they sought assistance from the police and Eastern Sabah Security Command.

Semporna police chief Supt Sabarudin Rahmat had said that the shootout, where 50 shots were fired, happened at 5.30pm. — Bernama