Manhunt On For Fishermen Who Caused Deaths Of Divers In Semporna

KOTA KINABALU: The police are looking for the fishermen who allegedly used the fish bomb which resulted in the deaths of two Chinese tourists and a local diving coach in waters off Semporna yesterday.

Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Omar Mammah when contacted by Bernama today said the Marine Police Force had been directed to investigate the matter, however, there were no leads of now.

“We (police) are searching (for the fishermen involved in the fish bombing incident). We have also ordered the marine (police) (to conduct an investigation). The (boat) crew who are currently in the diving area are from small boats. But the problem is, none of them heard the bombs go off (in the area),” he said.

Commenting further, Omar said the Sabah police were committed to stopping fish bombing activities in the state waters, however, the sea was too vast for the authorities to monitor round the clock, and fishermen took advantage of the fact by finding secluded spots or times when patrol boats were not around.

Meanwhile, in Ipoh, Deputy Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Muhammad Bakhtiar Wan Chik said the incident was an isolated case, and tourists need not be worried about their safety.

“I have not received a report yet, but it’s an isolated case, (so) do not worry. We are confident that the authorities will handle this incident,” he told reporters after opening the Perak Tourism Business Opportunity Seminar at a hotel here, today.