Three Al-Jazeera journalists and three Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) youths were today detained off the waters at Tanjung Labian near Lahad Datu, where more than 100 armed men from the Philippines are holing up.

NONE The six people and a boatman were detained by the General Operations Force (PGA) about 8am as the boat they were travelling in approached Kampung Tanduo, the place the armed group had gathered over the past 11 days.

They were released after a few hours of questioning.

SAPP Tungku central liaison committee chief Suaib Mutalib said the three youths were accompanying the foreign journalists who wanted to cover the stand-off between the armed men and the Malaysian police.

"They were taken to the Chenderawasih police station at Tungku and released about 3.30pm, after police took their statements," Suaib said.

Suaib, who is also SAPP assistant secretary-general, added that situation around Lahad Datu appeared tense.

He said many parents were reluctant to send their children to school while most shops also closed early.

Allow journalists to cover stand-off

The stand-off began after the armed group intruded Malaysian waters and occupied Kampung Tanduo, about 130km from Lahad Datu.

Meanwhile, SAPP information chief Chong Pit Fah said the government should allow foreign journalists and international news agencies to enter the area to cover the incident.

Chong said international and neutral coverage would enable the people to get a true picture of what was really going on.

"All this while we are fed with BN government-controlled media reports, which might not be fully accurate," he said.

Chong added that journalists, both local and foreign, should be allowed to enter areas near the stand-off.