Police believe two persons kidnapped on Pulau Sebangkat, Semporna in February are still alive under custody of their abductors and active efforts were being made to rescue them.

"Up till now, both persons are hostages and efforts are being made by the police to free them," said Minister in the Sabah Chief Minister's Department, Nasir Sakaran in the state assembly sitting in Kota Kinabalu today.

He said this in reply to a question by Kamarlin Ombi (BN-Lumadan) regarding the latest development on the kidnapping and if the police and the military were placed in areas deemed to be exposed to pirates and enemy threats.

On February 8, five persons on two boats and armed with rifles, a pistol and 'parang' abducted two persons who were a company manager and a supervisor of a seaweed farming company Syarikat Dynasty Marine Farm.

Nasir said to ensure the safety of Sabah waters the police, especially the General Operations Force, will monitor the situation and place four battalions at 50 posts.

"This posts are not only on islands but also in the districts of Tawau, Semporna, Sandakan, Beluran, Kudat, Kota Belud, Kunak and Lahad Datu," he said.

Nasir said after the kidnapping cases in 2000 on Pulau Sipadan and Pulau Pandanan, the government had enhanced security in the Semporna district, including setting up a Naval Base and having monitoring posts on 15 islands.

"Long range radar on the two islands have been installed to detect boats and activity that is suspicious and can affect security.

"And with the proposal to have the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency in Semporna, surely this will help to control and monitor encroachment," he added.

- Bernama