M'sian soldiers already stationed on seven
Sabah islands
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 20 (Bernama)
-- Soldiers have already been stationed on seven previously unguarded Malaysian islands
off Sabah as the military beefed up security in the state following two intrusions by
foreign gunmen in the past five months.
Chief of Defence Forces Gen Tan Sri Mohamed Zahidi Zainuddin said these islands had no
police presence in the past.
"The soldiers will also monitor other islands requiring physical military presence in
the long-term," he said.
Gen Zahidi was speaking at a press conference after receiving the Commanding General of
the Philippine Army Lt Gen Voltaire Gazmin at his office here Wednesday.
Security reinforcement in Sabah was accelerated after gunmen abducted three Malaysians
from the Pandanan Semporna Island Resort off Semporna last Sept 10.
The Malaysians are now being held hostage in southern Philippines.
Earlier, on April 23 gunmen kidnapped nine Malaysians and 12 nationals of other countries
from a resort in Sipadan Island and took them to Jolo in southern Philippines. The
kidnappers had since freed 20 of them in batches.
Following this month's abduction, the Cabinet ordered for soldiers and policemen to be
stationed on all islands off Sabah's north-eastern coast.
The Cabinet also ordered security forces to counter attempts by armed Filipino groups to
intrude in Malaysian territory.
Gen Zahidi said the air force and navy had also upgraded their surveillance capability and
strike-readiness against intruders.
On his talks with Gen Gazmin, he said the Philippine general told him that 25 members of
the Abu Sayyaf Muslim separatist group have been captured up till the fifth day of
military offensive to free the 19 hostages held by the group.
The hostages are three Malaysians, two French nationals, an American and the rest, locals.
Foreign wire-service reports from the Philippines said the military have confirmed that
the two French nationals, both media people, are safe.
The reports also said the American hostage was expected to be released later Wednesday.
Gen Zahidi said Gazmin, who arrived yesterday, told him that the Philippine military had
not been able yet to locate rebel positions.
"Gazmin also told me the current military offensive would go on indefinitely. Their
objective is to search and destroy the Abu Sayyaf group," Gen Zahidi said.
The two generals also discussed joint exercises and bilateral training porgrammes.
Today's call on Zahidi was Gazmin's farewell call prior to retirement in a month's time.
Gazmin, who earlier made a similar call on the Chief of Army Gen Datuk Seri Md Hashim
Hussein, will leave for Singapore tomorrow.
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