Zahid: Suspects leaking inside information on security forces identified

(Bernama) – The authorities have identified several individuals who might have leaked inside information concerning the security forces following several cases of abductions in the waters off the east coast of Sabah lately.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said, however, further investigations were still ongoing to gather concrete evidence before they were detained.

“We are still investigating and we are rather ‘uncomfortable’ with several individuals. I cannot accuse anyone yet because we need to get concrete proof to detain the personalities whom we suspect.

“As you all know my stand, we will not compromise on any act of leaking inside information to the enemy,” he told reporters after opening Restoran Hyderabad that serves Indian food, here last night.

Ahmad Zahid was asked to comment on the involvement of “insiders” in the attempted kidnap of a fish breeding centre owner in Kampung Bangau-Bangau, Semporna by seven men early yesterday morning.

The media earlier reported on the possibility that a group of criminals involved in several kidnapping  cases had received information from inside sources regarding security patrols in the waters of the eastern coast of Sabah to launch their criminal activities there.

Commenting further, Ahmad Zahid confirmed that the latest incident involved criminals from southern Philippines.

“I mentioned the country because we have concrete proof that could link the suspects as having originated from southern Philippines,” he said.

Ahmad Zahid also described the success in preventing the abduction because of the continued efforts by the Royal Malaysia Police in coordinating operations in the Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCom).

In the latest incident, seven masked men armed with a pistol and parang barged into the fish breeding centre to kidnap the owner but it was in vain as the owner had spent the night in Semporna town on the instruction of the authorities.