Intruders 'well-trained' in combat, says army chief

Army General Zulkifli Mat Zain opined that armed intruders in Sabah have shown combat experience and adeptness in insurgency tactics.

"From our intelligence and observation, they have combat experience and their insurgency guerilla tactics are quite good, I would say," he said.

He said that the group has positioned snipers in one area with a large public space. He did not name the area.

"They know we are not able to go in without casualties because of the open area," he told a press conference in Felda Sahabat Residence, Lahad Datu.

Today was the first ever joint press conference by the police and army, more than three weeks after the first standoff in Kampung Tandou, some 15km away from here.

The press conference was held following another landing by intruders in Kunak and an ambush on a police team in Sempoerna.

At the press conference, inspector-general of police Ismail Omar said he had called on the army to help bolster police security forces at the three standoff sites.

Security strengthened

"The situation is under control, I have also called on the chief of armed forces to back me so that we can strengthen our security," he said.

He emphasised the standoff is contained in the three areas and has not spread.

A check by Malaysiakini today saw several columns of military trucks making its way into the oil palm road to Kampung Tandou which is off limits to the media.

Adding on, Zulkefli said the army is deploying two additional battalions today to bolster their presence at all existing military camps on the East Coast of Sabah.

"I have decided to send reinforcements just for public confidence, not for anything else but to say you are safe," he said.

He added that the navy has also bolstered their presence in guarding Sabah's shores.

However, he acknowledged that it is not an easy task as the closest island of Philippines is only 25 minutes to Sabah by boat.

Civilian clothing

Zulkefli said he believed the intruders came in small numbers using boats over a period of a few days.

"That was why we were not able to detect them... They came in civilian clothing... then they mixed as a group and put on their uniforms," he said, adding that security forces had retrieved civilian attire from them.

Asked about the Moro National Liberation Front threat in the Filipino media that the Tausugs in Sabah may rise against other locals in defence of the Royal Sulu Army, he said there was no basis to this claim.

"I don't think so (there is basis)... they are Malaysians. Even though they are Tausugs, they are peace-loving Malaysians."