Four Malaysians were abducted by eight armed men in the waters of Semporna, Sabah while returning to Malaysia from the Philippines last night.

Miri Police chief ACP Junaidi Bujang said in the 7pm incident, the four men, aged between 21 and 34, were working onboard the ship registered as Masfive 6 which had transported timber from Malaysia to Manila in the Philippines.

“The incident occurred near Pulau Ligitan, Semporna and the ship did not carry any cargo at the time of the incident,” he told Bernama today.

He said all four men were from Sibu and the identities of the abductors were still unknown.

The victims were taken away in a speed boat and so far their fate is still not known.

He said the names of the abducted victims could not be disclosed at the moment to avoid panic among their family members.

“A police report has been lodged by the administrative manager of the shipping company at the Miri central police station last night,” he said.

He said the 35-year-old administration manager, who is based in Miri, lodged a police report after receiving a phone call from a colleague in Sabah informing about the abduction.

“A copy of the police report was faxed to the operations room of the Sabah police contingent headquarters to follow up there,” he said.

- Bernama