TAWAU: The three suspects involved in a shootout with Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) personnel in waters off Kunak, Sabah yesterday, were on the wanted list for sea robberies.
MMEA, in a statement, said the men were part of a group wanted by the Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom).
"MMEA also believes that all suspects were involved in previous sea robberies and may have ties to several cross-border criminal groups.
"MMEA has mobilised the Special Tactical & Rescue Team (STAR Team), MMEA air surveillance team, Maritime Intelligence team, all assisted by Esscom forces to track down and hunt all suspects," it said.
The incident, which took place at 0.2 nautical miles northeast of Kampung Pangi, Kunak yesterday, saw two MMEA personnel injured.
An MMEA patrol boat had approached a blue boat for a routine inspection. However, the three men on the boat opened fire on the personnel.
There was an exchange of gunfire before the suspects fled.
Zainal Abad Komel, 45, who was the captain of the MMEA vesse, was injured in the left eye while Leading Rate Prayrie De Cuella Jimin, 35, was injured in both hands.