| REMAIN CALM, GIVE INFO, SHAFIE ADVISES
SEMPORNA PEOPLE PORT DICKSON, April 25 (Bernama) -- Deputy Defence Minister and the Member
of Parliament for Semporna Datuk Shafie Apdal has urged his constituents to provide
whatever information they have about last Sunday's hostage-taking by armed pirates on
Sipadan island.
He said any information could be crucial for the security forces in rescuing the 20 people
taken hostage, including foreign tourists.
Shafie was in constant contact with the district security committee to keep abreast with
the latest situation in Semporna.
"The overall security situation in Semporna is good," he told reporters after
presenting keys of quarters for married servicemen at the army garrison here.
Shafie acknowledged that pirates had attacked Semporna in 1995 but unlike Sunday's
hostage-taking incident, they only robbed the people of their belongings and money then.
Shafie said to beef up security in Semporna, a naval base costing RM120 million was being
built there and due for completion in three years' time.
The base would also take care of security of nearby Tawau, Lahat Datu and Kunak.
Shafie said he would not say whether insiders were involved in the hostage-taking
incident.
He added that he had yet to be informed of the fate of the hostages.
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