(Bernama) - Inspector-General of Police Ismail Omar comfirmed the incident in Semporna but declined further comments.

The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) has tightened control in the waters off Lahad Datu, Sabah with the cooperation from security forces, including the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) to face possible threats from the armed intruders from the Philippines.

Its director-general Admiral Mohd Amdan Kurish said three maritime vessels and six patrol boats were patrolling in the waters now.

“Prior to this, we have three ships patrolling in Lahad Datu, two of them at sea, and the other one on standby.

“However, in view with the intrusion issue, we have deployed six MMEA boats based in Sandakan, Sabah to increase control in the waters,” he told reporters after the opening of Malaysian Maritime Academy and Training Centre, now known as Sultan Ahmad Shah Maritime Academy (AMSAS) in Gebeng here yesterday.

Meanwhile in KUALA LUMPUR, last night, police sources said another member of Malaysian security forces was killed, this time in a firefight with armed intruders in Kampung Selamat, Semporna, about 150km from Kampung Tanduo, Lahad Datu, Sabah.

According to a police source, another police personnel was also injured in the firefight which began at 8pm.

It is learnt that the intruders had planned to attack Lahad Datu police station.

Lahad Datu and Tawau Police Special Investigation Divisions have been deployed to the scene.

Inspector-General of Police Ismail Omar when contacted by Bernama confirmed the incident but refused further comment.

On Friday, two VAT 69 police commandos, ASP Zulkifli Mamat, 29 and Sergeant Sabarudin Daud, were killed, while three others were injured in a gunfire with the armed intruders in Kampung Tandou.

Twelve of the armed intruders were also killed.