Suspects in Sabah kidnap believed in Phl waters: Malaysian Police

KUALA LUMPUR (Xinhua) - The suspects involved in the Semporna resort kidnap in Sabah are believed to be in Philippine waters, local police said today during a press conference held in Kota Kinabalu.

Datuk Hamza Taib, Sabah Police Commissioner, confirmed that the group of armed men are no longer in Semporna or within Sabah.

He also added that he believed there should be someone within the resort coordinating with the suspects during the kidnap.

"We have a lead ...We are now looking for individuals who can help in the investigation," local press The Star quoted the commissioner as saying.

The commissioner said the resorts has been operated for more than ten years. The police usually patrols 3 to 4 times per week.

He said the kidnapping is also believed to be for ransom but so far no ransom has been demanded yet. He also believed that the victims are safe, according intelligence they had so far.

Two persons, one Chinese tourist and a Filipino resort worker had been abducted by a group of man from Pulau Singahmata near Pulau Bum-Bum in Semporna, state of Sabah of Malaysia on Wednesday evening.