Two Indonesian Fishermen Kidnapped Off Sabah

Lahad Datu, 21 Safar 14388/21 November 2016 (MINA) – Two Indonesian fishermen were abducted in the Merabung waters near here yesterday, according to the Eastern Sabah Security Command.

ESSCom commander Datuk Wan Abdul Bari Wan Abdul Khalid said a 43-year-old skipper and his 36-year-old assistant were kidnapped at about 7.30 pm.

“A group of armed men boarded their fishing boat at about 6.30pm when the skipper, assistant and 11 crew had stopped to fish there.

“Besides abducting the skipper and his assistant, the gunmen also took the handphones of all the crew and the boat engine as well,” he said to Bernama.

Wan Abdul Bari said ESSCom was notified of the incident about 30 minutes later by other fishermen as the boat radio had malfunctioned.

The remaining 11 crew were rescued by the other fishermen and they contacted ESSCom, he said.

The fishing boat with the crew arrived at the jetty at about 3am, he added.

Wan Abdul Bari said the abductors had fled into international waters.

This is the second reported abduction this month off Sabah.

On Nov 5, two skippers of a fishing boat were kidnapped in the Kertam waters off Kinabatangan, Sandakan. (T/R07/R01)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)