Malaysian police tighten border security in Sabah, Sarawak vs Kiram followers

Malaysian police have tightened border security and surveillance efforts in Sabah and Sarawak to prevent the escape of followers of Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III.

 

A report on Malaysia's state-run Bernama news agency late Monday said this aims to prevent Kiram's followers from moving from Lahad Datu to Sarawak's coastal areas.

 

"Even though there are no signs of threats in Sarawak, we are monitoring the security situation closely," the Bernama report quoted Sarawak police commissioner Datuk Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani as saying.

 

Malaysian security forces have been hunting down Kiram's followers via offensives since March 5, following deadly clashes March 1 and 2.

 

Meanwhile, a separate Bernama report said Malaysian police arrested at least three suspected sympathizers of the Kiram followers in Kampung Sim-Sim water village in Sandakan.

 

"Their identities have yet to be determined but no weapons were found on them," Sandakan police chief Rowell Marong, but did not elaborate.

 

He cited information reaching him indicating the three were "seen behaving suspiciously" in Kampung Sim-Sim, and residents promptly tipped off police.

 

As of Monday, at least 28 followers of Kiram had already been killed. —KG, GMA News