Abu Sayyaf member killed in Sabah waters

KOTA KINABALU: Malaysian security forces have killed a key member of the notorious Abu Sayyaf group involved in kidnap-for-ransom and cross-border crimes in Sabah’s east coast.

Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Ramli Din said the man, identified as Abu Paliyak or Kamaner Paliyak@Yusof, was killed in a shootout with security forces in waters off Pulau Kantong Kalungan, near Lahad Datu, at about 3am yesterday.

“Investigation revealed that Abu Paliyak was one of the (Abu Sayyaf) members involved in a series of kidnappings and robberies in waters off Lahad Datu and Kunak since 2014.

“A special team from the Eastern Sabah Security Command and marine police on patrol at high risk areas spotted a pump boat with a man on board.

“We believe he was out at sea to observe the operations and movements of our security personnel and feed the information to kidnap-for-ransom groups,” he told theSun when contacted.

Ramli said when the security personnel approached the man’s boat and introduced themselves, a shot was fired.

“The boat sped off and a gunshot was fired towards the security forces, prompting police to return fire,” he said.

When the shootout ended, police found the suspect dead with a gunshot wound. The team recovered a modified pump gun and bullets from the boat.

“Security forces identified the body as that of Abu Paliyak which bore scars from at least nine previous gunshot wounds and a healed wound from an explosiverelated injury on his right thigh.”

Ramli said Abu Paliyak was affiliated with the Remy group which was infamous for cross-border criminal activities.

Police are after other Abu Sayyaf members and informers.