Sabah east coast put on security alert

Graphic showing Malaysia’s Sabah, where Malaysian forces are facing off with followers of a Filipino Muslim sultan who are claiming the territory as their ancestral land.

LAHAD DATU, Sabah—The east coast of Sabah has been placed on high security alert following a clash between Malaysian security forces and armed followers of the sultan of Sulu in Tanduo village early Friday.

Many shops, businesses including banks and schools remained closed as word of the firefight spread across the state.

Police in Lahad Datu have also advised people to stay indoors and not to believe in rumors.

Semporna district police chief Deputy Supt Firdaus Francis Abdullah said they were all on standby together with other security agencies.

“We have yet to receive any emergency order from the higher authorities,” he said, adding that the precautions were necessary and the people should remain calm.

“Many are worried that the problem would spread to Semporna, but actually there is no need to worry here as the Sulu gunmen have been cornered in Lahad Datu,” he said.

Semporna and Lahad Datu were attacked in the 1980s and 1990s primarily by pirates from the southern Philippines.