The kidnap of two seaweed farm officers at Pulau Sebangkat, Sabah, last Monday was due to problems arising from failure of

the management to pay workers' salary, Defence Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said today.

He denied that the kidnap was done by terrorists adding that it was a robbery by individuals who were not happy with the farm management.

"The problem is about salary not paid. It is not related to terrorism," he told reporters after presenting the instruments of appointment to National Service Training Council (MLKN) members in Kuala Lumpur today.

In the incident early Monday, a group of five men armed with machetes and two M-16 rifles attacked a group of 30 workers of the seaweed farm.

The attackers then abducted the general manager and a supervisor, leaving the others unharmed.

Following the incident, Zahid said the Ops Pasir - the operations to deter intrusions by foreigners into Sabah- would be expanded to include six more islands.

Meanwhile, the residents of Semporna and the coastal areas of eastern Sabah have been urged to keep a close watch on strangers and alert the authorities of those who appeared suspicious.

Minister in the Sabah Chief Minister's Office Nasir Sakaran said the cooperation was needed to track down those responsible behind the abduction of two local seaweed farm workers.

Nasir, who is also Senalang assemblyman, said this was because the police believed that the kidnappers were still in the east coast of Sabah.

Community leaders should not listen to rumours and get correct information from the authorities on the security situation of Semporna, he told reporters after attending an Umno membership campaign in Semporna today.

"The security situation on the mainland and islands off Semporna is under control and the people should go about their daily lives unhindered," said Nasir.

He lambasted at Sabah DAP chairman Hiew King Chew for casting aspersion on the security situation in east coast of Sabah, urging the latter to come and have a look for himself.

"Do not make sweeping remarks. Come and visit the islands and see the security situation for yourself," he added.

- Bernama