TAWAU: Over a three-day period, Sabah Police arrested seven individuals and seized contraband valued at RM226,550 across two separate enforcement fronts.
In Tawau, the District Police arrested six persons in connection with two violent incidents—a workplace assault and a public rioting case. Meanwhile, in Sandakan, the State Marine Police conducted two intelligence-led raids that resulted in the arrest of one man and the confiscation of untaxed cigarettes and subsidised cooking oil.
On August 15, Tawau District Police Headquarters received a report of an altercation at the Tawau Hospital staff rest area. A female employee in her 20s alleged that she was confronted, pushed, and kicked by a female colleague in her 30s following a misunderstanding.
Acting on intelligence, the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) swiftly apprehended the suspect. Background checks confirmed that the individual has no prior criminal record. The case is being investigated under Section 506 (criminal intimidation) and Section 323 (voluntarily causing hurt) of the Penal Code.
In a separate incident on August 14, a 17-year-old male reported being assaulted by an unknown group while at an open field along Jalan Imam Galundang, Tanjung Batu Keramat. The teenager sustained an eyebrow injury, and his cousin was also hurt in the attack.
Following a report lodged by the victim, police identified and subsequently arrested five men aged between 19 and 37 at the CID office. Preliminary checks indicated that none of the suspects possess prior criminal records. No items were seized during these arrests.
The case is being probed under Section 148 (rioting, armed with a deadly weapon) of the Penal Code.
Tawau OCPD ACP Rosdi Mat Jusoh, reiterated that police will not tolerate acts of violence or lawlessness, whether in the workplace or public spaces. He urged the public to resolve disputes through proper channels—such as reporting to supervisors or department heads—rather than resorting to reckless behaviour or the use of force, which carries serious legal consequences.
In Sandakan, the Marine Police executed two enforcement raids on August 13 and 14, targeting smuggling and leakage of controlled goods.
On August 13 about 7.10 pm, they raided two unnumbered huts in the mangrove swamp area of Kampung Batu 2, believed to serve as temporary transit points. The search uncovered 850 cartons of untaxed Red Astro white cigarettes, with an estimated market value of RM204,000. All seized items were brought to the Sandakan Marine Police Base for further action. This case is investigated under Section 135 of the Customs Act 1967.
On August 14 at approximately 2.20 am, following surveillance at Kampung Kombo, Jalan Leila, Marine Police intercepted a four-wheel drive vehicle (4WD). A thorough inspection revealed 1,020 packets of 1kg subsidised cooking oil concealed within the 4WD. A 41-year-old man was arrested at the scene to assist with investigations. The vehicle and the cooking oil, with a total estimated value of RM22,550, were confiscated. This case is being investigated under Section 21 of the Control of Supplies Act 1961.
Total value of Marine Police seizures: RM226,550
Sabah Marine Police reaffirmed its commitment to intensifying intelligence-gathering and enforcement patrols, particularly along Sabah’s East Coast, to curb smuggling, leakages, and other illegal activities. They called upon the public to act as the eyes and ears of the community, urging anyone with information on suspicious activities to channel tips to the nearest police station or marine police operations base. – James Leong
The suspect with subsidised cooking oil seized by the Marine Police in Sandakan on August 14.
