Two Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) officers were injured during a shootout with pirates in waters near the city of Kunak, eastern Sabah state, on April 7th.
The incident occurred at 8:40 a.m. local time when an MMEA vessel approached another vessel crewed by three individuals. The captain of the boat fired at one of the officers, striking him in the face, while rounds also struck another officer in both hands. The other four MMEA officers onboard the vessel were not harmed during the incident.
The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) and the Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM) are coordinating with other agencies in searching for the individuals. Police Inspector-General Tan Sri Razarudin Husain held a press conference about the April 7th incident. He said that the Malaysian authorities view the incident as “an act of piracy” and that the pirates “were preying on people returning to Kunak and Semporna for Hari Raya Aidifitri celebrations.”
Husain also said the individuals involved in the shooting did not come from or involved militants from neighboring countries.
