14 March 2013| last updated at 05:26PM
By Olivia Miwil
SANDAKAN: Wisma Putra will contact the Philippine government on its Navy's interception of two boats bearing 32 wounded sulu terrorists who entered Philippine waters from Sabah Wednesday morning, said Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein.
"As this is an international matter, the Foreign Affairs ministry will deal with the Philippine government on handling those terrorists," he said in today's press conference at district police station here.
When asked whether any further security measurement would be taken to monitor the terrorists' escape route activities via Sandakan waters, the minister said the Immigration director general would come here today (15 March) to discuss the matter with relevant authorities.
"I am aware of the incidence and the number of Filipinos from around the state fleeing to Philippine via barter trade ships known as 'kumpit' here.
"The world is without border, but we will ensure marine (Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency) and coastguards to guard possible escape routes and illegal entrances of the country," he added.
New Straits Times check at the Central Market here since last Saturday revealed that about more than 2,000 Filipinos from here, Kota Kinabalu, Tawau, Semporna and Lahad Datu fled to Sulu and Tawi Tawi islands in Philippines.
Those immigrants, who work at construction sites and factories, claimed that they were afraid of the heavy presence of security forces at mentioned districts.
On the allegation that there is a mastermind for the Lahad Datu intrusion, Hishammuddin commented that the government would open a white paper or conduct a Royal Commission of Inquiry should it be true.
"The government will look into the motives on why it was done.
"Action under the new security act against offenders and it will be announced by the Attorney General soon," he added.
However, Hishammuddin said the government would now prioritise on the mopping up operations and implementation of the Eastern Sabah Security zone along the 1,400km Tawau-Kudat coastline to ensure the security of the people here.
"Public Service Director General, relevant ministries including the Implementation Coordination Unit (ICU) secretary general will come to Sabah tomorrow to discuss how to fine tune the ESSCOM," he added.
"Sandakan is safe and back to normal now, but people still have to stay vigilant.
"As for other districts, particularly Lahad Datu and Semporna, people should not worry much as the intrusion only happened in Tanjung Labian, Tanjung Batu and Sungai Bilis in Lahad Datu," he added.
Hishammuddin and Armed Forces Chief Tan Sri Zulkifeli Mohd Zin also visited three injured security forces: Corporal Affendi Rosle, 26 and Lance corporal Mohd Zariman Ibrahim, 31 and corporal Khairul Anuar, 35 who are warded at Sandakan hospital.
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