27 men in three boats were arrested this morning off the coast of Tanjung Batu, Lahad Datu near the operations zone where security forces are attempting to weed out the Sulu intruders, said inspector-general of police (IGP) Ismail Omar.

"We have handed them over to the Lahad Datu district police headquarters for investigation.

NONE "We do not want anyone entering the operations area. It will affect the operations and endanger lives," he told a press conference at Felda Residence Sabahat, Lahad Datu, this morning.

Ismail said it was unclear it the men were attempting to enter the operations zone or were leaving, and police were still attempting to find out their motive.

"They claimed to be fishing in the area but we find this suspicious, so the police will investigate this and take action in accordance with the law," he said.

However, Ismail said no weapons were found on their boats. He did not disclose the nationalities of those arrested.

This brings the total arrests of suspects in relation to the incursion crisis which began on Feb 12 to 106.

Within the operations borders consisting of Kampung Tanduo and Tanjung Batu, Ismail said there were no new developments other than the single intruder that security forces shot dead this morning.

map sabah lahad datu Ismail said security forces have finally entered areas previously inaccessible in Kampung Tanduo and have “dominated” the area.

"We believe the intruders are still nearby and we will continue our operations. What is important is we continue to gain ground," he said.

Despite their progress, Ismail said several bodies of enemies killed by security forces have yet to be removed from the operations zone for safety reasons.

"We have not sent in our forensics team, after they were shot at on Monday. Remember that they are an investigation team and their duty is not to engage the enemy," he said.

However, he assured that a post mortem will be conducted on all the bodies once they are retrieved.

'Contributions flowing in'

Meanwhile, earlier this morning, Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Ahmad Maslan visited the surrounding areas at the conflict zone to provide food contributions to the displaced people, security forces and the media.

Maslan, who is in charge of Felda, also announced plans to double Rela officers in the the 250,000-acre Sahabat Felda plantation from 200 to 400.

"We are also looking to arm them, at least with a rifle," he said.

Furthermore, he proposed for the auxiliary police guarding Felda to be equipped with better weapons and a Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency outpost be set up there.

Several organisations have also arrived in the area today, including Kelab Putera 1Malaysia led by Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim and Solidariti Anak Muda Malaysia led by Badrul Hisham Shaharin to provide food contributions.