SANDAKAN: Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) thwarted a possible robbery attempt on Sandakan waters near Pulau Berhala here.
The incident was the third in this month alone on waters off east coast Sabah.
Esscom commander Datuk Wan Abdul Bari Wan Abdul Khalid said they received a report at about 6.30pm.
“A tugboat which carries sand from Sandakan, stumbled upon a suspicious boat while en route to Tawau.
“Its crew member contacted the authority and the nearest Esscom control centre despatched boats to check on the report,” he said, adding the suspicious boat fled upon the arrival of the personnel.
Abdul Bari added they were still trying to locate the boat but the rough sea at that time made the search difficult.
“We are not sure whether the motive of this incident is robbery or not, but we are still searching and investigating,” he said.
On Oct 13, a fisherman was shot several times while fishing at Tigabu island, off Kudat waters.
Last Monday, the crew on board a fishing trawler at Jambongan island off Beluran waters were robbed at gunpoint but escaped unhurt.