The Al-Qaeda linked Abu Sayyaf terrorist group from the southern Philippines is suspected to be behind the murder-kidnap incident in Pulau Pom Pom, Semporna, Sabah yesterday.

A Taiwanese tourist was murdered while his wife was kidnapped in the incident.

Inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar said the attackers were believed to have come in a group of eight in a speedboat.

However, he said no ransom demands had been made so far and that efforts were continuing to find the victim with the assistance of the Philippine authorities.

"We believe the terrorists were able to slip in because there has been a big mobilisation of resources of the Philippine armed forces from the country's south to the north to help out in relief work for victims of super typhoon Haiyan... they had taken advantage of the situation to commit terrorist acts," he told a press conference after attending a ‘Sunathon’ (mass circumision ceremony) today.

Khalid also said he had been in consultation with the Malaysian Armed Forces to tighten security in Sabah waters following the incident.

Ban on speed boats

He said police would also be mounting a massive operation around islands near Pom Pom to hunt down the perpetrators of the attack besides beefing up security in Sabah to prevent a repeat of such incidents.

"I wish to remind the public not to get involved in any terrorist groups and not to provide any information or support to the nation's enemies," he stressed.

He added that police would also be recommending to the authorities responsible for security of Sabah waters to ban the use of speedboats because this was the preferred mode of transport of terrorists and criminals in the area.

"We know such a ban will affect residents (in the area) from going about their daily lives... But there can be no compromise in security and safety issues. We urge the authorities to take this drastic action," he said.

He also did not expect the tourism industry in Sabah to be severely impacted by the incident as the security forces had increased patrolling activities around all resort islands and tourist destinations in the state, particularly in Semporna, Sandakan and Tawau.

        

No links to Lahad Datu intruders

Meanwhile, Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) director-general Mohammad Mentek said there was no link between the attack in Pom Pom and the terrorist intrusion in Lahad Datu early this year.

He said the latest incident was an isolated criminal case.

"Hence I advise the public not to panic as the situation here is under control. We await the police investigation, and don't make any speculation," he told a media conference at the Esscom office at the Marine Police Base near Lahad Datu today.

Mohammad said the incident at 1am involved two Taiwanese tourists. The male victim aged 57 was shot dead in a chalet while the female victim aged 56 was believed to have been abducted by an unidentified group.    

Mohammad said Esscom had stepped up security measures particularly on the islands.

He said Esscom planned to hold a meeting with tour and resort centre operators to discuss security aspects.

"We will make an assessment on security preparedness on the islands," he said.

Mohammad said the long and wide coastline at the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (Esszone) made it tedious for the security forces to control every inch of the border.

- Bernama