Sabah police chief Hamza Taib has insisted that Malaysian intelligence reports have confirmed that 35 alleged intruders had been shot dead by the Philippine navy before they landed on Sabah soil.

NONE However, he said he can only go by intelligence reports as the incident did not happen within Sabah’s jurisdiction.

“The 35 (deaths) were confirmed by intelligence reports but don’t ask me about the Philippines. Only ask me about what happens in Sabah,” he told reporters at the Dewan Masyarakat Papar.

Hamza was asked about the denial by the Philippine navy that it had shot dead 35 members of the self-styled Sulu army, as claimed by caretaker Defence Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi ( left ).

Ahmad Zahid had also mentioned intelligence reports that three "opposition leaders" had been involved in plotting the incursion.

Hamza said that Sabah police have not been instructed to act on the matter.

"It is being handled by Bukit Aman," he said.

Hamza also rubbished the claims of politicians that the police force is more focused on politicians than criminals.

NONE "I absolutely deny this. The police take care of the safety of the country...(and) we have met out key performance index (KPI),” he said.

"People who crticise us should work with us on improvements, because we are impartial."

He was referring to a statement reportedly made by the DAP’s Rasah candidate, Anthony Loke ( right ), that the killing of the Customs Department deputy director-general in Putrajaya last week, as well as the Lahad Datu incursion, show a need for an overhaul of the police force.

"What do they want to overhaul? To ask police to only use batons and not firearms? We are governed by the Police Act, so if they want to change things, then amend the Act," Hamza said.

Seven arrests made

He also that Sabah police have made seven arrests after 49 police reports were lodged in relation to alleged violations during the ongoing election campaign.

NONE "One was for possession of an offensive weapon, a parang, in Ranau," he said.

Earlier, caretaker deputy home minister Lee Chee Leong ( fourth from right ) had presented 36 Pingat Kedaulatan Negara to security personnel and civil servants from the Papar district, who had served in Ops Daulat to contain the Lahad Datu incursion.

Members of the uniformed corps were seen wiping away tears when a video tribute to the 10 fallen security personnel was aired before the medals were presented.

Also present was BN Papar candidate Rosnah Abdul Rashid Shirlin.