KOTA KINABALU: More cooperation will be established between police in Malaysia and the Philippines in tackling cross-border crime in future, said Sabah police commissioner Datuk Abdul Rashid Harun.
"Inspector-General of police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar and I just came back from the Philippines last night (where we held talks).
"From our discussions, we expect more cooperation between both countries, including in identifying 23 suspects involved in cross-border crimes," he said after the handing over of duties ceremony for Datuk Razarudin Husain @ Abd Rashid as new deputy police commissioner from Datuk Awang Sahari EM Nadzeer.
Abdul Rashid said the names and pictures of the 23 suspects were the result of intelligence gathering by police and the Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom).
Meanwhile, on the fate of five Malaysian fishermen abducted in Lahad Datu waters on July 18, Abdul Rashid said that all of them are safe, and negotiations on their release are still ongoing.
On the suggestion by Sri Tanjong assemblyman Chan Foong Hin, during the state assembly sitting on Monday, to allow fishermen to carry firearms for self-defence, Abdul Rashid said it would be up to the Federal government whether or not to allow it.
"Issuance of a firearm license is not an easy procedure. You would have to undergo many processes – we have to consider many things as well.
"(The concern is) that when there are too many licences issued, we are afraid the situation might get out of control," he added.
Since July, about 20 fishermen have kidnapped or robbed while out fishing in eastern Sabah.