THURSDAY, March 28, 2024
nationthailand

Malaysian commando team to be sent to Sabah’s East Coast to counter Abu Sayyaf

Malaysian commando team to be sent to Sabah’s East Coast to counter Abu Sayyaf

Malaysia's authorities said this was to demonstrate the presence of security forces in the areas of Sabah’s East Coast.

KUALA LUMPUR – PASIR MAS: The security level in Sabah’s East Coast will be increased, including the mobilisation of a commando team from the Special Action Unit (UTK), to tackle issues involving the Abu Sayyaf militant group.

Bukit Aman Internal Security and Public Order director Comm Datuk Hazani Ghazali (pic) said this was to demonstrate the presence of security forces in the areas, concerned including the Sabah-Kalimantan border.

“Although two years have passed without any kidnapping cases, particularly in Sabah’s East Coast, security controls are still being implemented.

“This also follows information received on Abu Sayyaf sub-leader and bomb maker, Mudzrimar alias Mundi Sawadjaan, confirmed to be still alive, so security control will be tightened and our security forces will always be receiving information from the Western Mindanao Command (J2 WESTMINCOM) on the matter,” he said.

Comm Hazani said this to reporters after the “Tangan Bersalaman” programme at the Pasir Mas district police headquarters here Wednesday (Feb 2).

He added that the status of Mudzrimar, being wanted by the Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCom), was confirmed through the sharing of information by the Joint Task Force Sulu (JTFS) and J2 WESTMINCOM for his involvement in a series of encounters and clashes with the Philippines security forces since July 2021.

Based on the intelligence information received, Mudzrimar was last seen on Jan 10 in an area in Sulu while going out to get food.

On border control at the Malaysia-Thailand border, Hazani said a mounted horse team from the Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) would be stationed in Kelantan from March to patrol areas notorious for smuggling activities.

“We are looking for a suitable place like Pengkalan Kubor, Tumpat or Rantau Panjang to station the mounted horse team, which can help tighten security controls and tackle smuggling activities along Sungai Golok,” he added.

Bernama

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