LAHAD DATU - Police quashed claims that a group of six Sulu intruders had taken several villagers hostage at a settlement in Felda Sahabat 43 on Thursday.
Sabah deputy police commissioner SAC Tan Kok Liang said in a press conference today at the Felda Sahabat Residence Resort that although there was a commotion including a fire that broke out at the settlement known as Kampung Kembara Sakti, it was unrelated to the Sulu terrorists holed up about 40 kilometres away at Kampung Tanjung Batu.
"There was an incident there but we are still checking on the claims and have yet to have any confirmation if it is true. As for now it is merely a rumour.
"We suspect that the house that burnt down was a result of negligence. There were no shootouts in the area too. We have stationed police personnel in the area just to reassure the public that the area is safe." he said.
He urged residents there not to believe in rumours.
It is learnt that villagers of the settlement fled their homes yesterday and took refuge at a mosque on hearing claims that six Sulu intruders had taken several people hostage but released them before security forces arrived.
It was also claimed that security forces had detained three of the intruders while the rest escaped.
Tan said police have interviewed the villagers who diffused the news and found it unsubstantiated.
He added that there was no truth to a rumour that journalists from a TV station were ambushed by the intruders.
He said the number of dead intruders remained at 63 and those arrested for direct involvement in the incursion was 108, and another 285 were caught for immigration offences.
-thesundaily
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