KOTA BARU: The Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) will collaborate with other agencies in tracking down 13 people believed to be linked to militant activities.
Federal Internal Security and Public Order Department director Datuk Seri Hazani Ghazali said this was important so the operation to locate the 13 can be carried out smoothly.
"Esscom has already verified the information with the police, armed forces, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) as well as the special team in the Philippines.
"The verification was based on intelligence in the Eastern Sabah Safety Zone (ESS Zone) area," he told the New Straits Times.
It was reported that Esscom would release the latest list of 13 individuals wanted by security authorities, believed to be linked to militant activities.
Its commander Datuk Victor Sanjos had said a study was underway and both federal Special Branch police and Esscom play a role in monitoring the movements of those on the list.
He said, however, that it was believed that most of those listed were now outside the Ess Zone area.
Meanwhile, Victor said the latest list of the 13 individuals would be released this year.
"What l can say is that the list is now being refined by the intelligence unit and once ready, we will release the list together with their pictures," he said when contacted.
The former Kelantan deputy police chief, however, refused to give details on the 13 but confirmed that all were men.
On Jan 27 last year, Esscom released a list of 20 foreign nationals, wanted by the authorities for being involved in a case of kidnapping for ransom in the waters of the ESS Zone.