KOTA KINABALU: The police have advised the public not to panic over claims that Abu Sayyaf suicide bombers are planning an attack in the state.
Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Jalaluddin Abdul Rahman did not deny that the authority had received such information and were investigating the authenticity of the information.
He said the police, especially the special branch divisions, had consistently received information either from the state, peninsula or from neighbouring countries and all information would be screened properly to determine their authenticity.
“I’m not going to deny nor confirm the information, but we are always on our toes to face any possible threats.
“Not all information we receive are real. We need to verify the information before we can confirm anything.
“So I urge the public not to panic; let us do our job,” he told reporters at the joint Sabah police contingent (IPK) and Kota Kinabalu contingent (IPD) Deepavali open house held at the Tanjung Aru Beach Hotel (STAR) here yesterday.
Also present were Jalaluddin’s wife Datin Hajah Siti Aishah Hj Haron, State Deputy Commissioner of Police DCP Datuk Awang Sahari Em Hadzeer and his wife Datin Fatimah Bt Awang Dahlan, Sabah Crime Investigation Department (CID) chief SAC Salehhudin Abd Rahman and his wife Noridah Nordin, and city police chief ACP M Chandra and his wife DSP Vyetty A. Thomas Tajal.
Internal police information was recently leaked on social media claiming that alleged sleeper bombers from the Abu Sayyaf were planning an attack in the state capital as well as in Kuala Lumpur, triggering concerns among the public.
Jalaluddin said the police had identified the person responsible for leaking the information and stern action would be taken.
He also added that some people were taking advantage of the leaked information by adding the possibility of an attack at public places such as shopping malls.
“The threat is not as big as the social media made it out to be and I once again remind the public not to easily believe in unverified information,” he said.
Meanwhile, Chandra also warned that action would be taken against those responsible for spreading rumours through the social media.
He said the police would not hesitate to take legal action under the Communication and Multimedia Act as well as under Section 505(e) of the Penal Code for causing public mischief by spreading rumours.
Chandra also assured that the security in the state capital was under control.