Kota Kinabalu: The abductors of two Indonesian fishermen kidnapped in Pulau Bodgaya waters in Semporna two weeks ago have demanded a ransom of RM4 million, Sabah police confirmed Tuesday.Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Omar Mammah said the abductors telephoned the wife of one of the kidnap victims at 10.24am on Sept 18."The wife of one of the victims who is in Sulawesi, Indonesia, received the call from the Philippines and she lodged a police report. No deadline was given for the payment of the ransom. We will wait for developments. There could be negotiations between the families of the victims and their employer," he told reporters after officiating a special parade ceremony at the Sabah Police Headquarters, here.
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The two fishermen, aged 30 and 35, were abducted by two armed men while fishing in Pulau Bodgaya waters in Semporna at about 12.30am on Sept 11. Both victims were believed taken to southern Philippines in a pump boat.Omar said police had received plenty of reliable information from fishermen who had seen pump boats believed to belong to the suspects, who were still at large.
"We are intensifying security efforts. So far, the suspects have not issued any threats," he added. Omar also said police are still awaiting the State Government's decision on whether to lift the ban on the use of pump boats in eastern Sabah coastline.He said the matter was still being reviewed to determine some matters that must be adhered to by the small-scale fishermen in the coastal area, especially in the East Coast of Sabah.
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"We will see what justifications are given regarding the use of pump boats, if it is more towards banning, we will enforce the law and adhere to the decision (of the State Government)."At the moment, it is still being studied as the State Government has allowed the use of pump boats by small-scale fishermen along the coastal area, but not into the open sea," he said.
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Prior to this, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal announced that the State Government would re-allow the use of pump boats to help poor fishermen in the coastal area. The previous Barisan Nasional-led government had banned the use of boat pumps in April 2016 to enhance the security in Esszone waters.Pump boats are small craft with converted or recycled motorbike or car engines that are much cheaper than "proper" outboard boat motors. They are popular in the seas between Sabah and southern Philippines and are normally used by small-scale fishermen and by shady characters.
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Pump boats were banned several years ago following a series of cross-border crimes on the East Coast of Sabah, especially kidnappings. This part of the maritime border with the Philippines is only an hour away by boat from the mainland.The town of Semporna in eastern Sabah is seen as the gateway for cross-border travel, especially to the troubled chain of Sulu islands in the Philippines. - Jason George
