KOTA KINABALU: Cross-border criminals, including Abu Sayyaf members from the Philippines, are hiding in islands bordering Malaysian and international waters, believed to be waiting for an opportunity to slip into Sabah, says Datuk Hazani Ghazali.

       The state police commissioner said the latest intelligence gathered was that there were still attempts to enter the state despite the patrols and operations against cross-border criminals conducted here.

       The latest crackdown in Beaufort last month saw five Abu Sayyaf members killed from a mangrove swamp squatter colony in Beaufort on May 17 after they apparently fired at security forces first.

       Eight others along with their wives and children were also nabbed on May 8.

       “We are also continuing our operations to find remaining Abu Sayyaf members who might still be hiding in Sabah,” Hazani said.

       He said many Abu Sayyaf members were fleeing to Sabah due to the aggressive military offensive against the terror group in the Philippines.

       “We are doing what we can to make sure that they won’t be able to turn Sabah into a safe haven for them,” he added.

       Hazani said these operations were conducted together with the Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) and other security forces.