Esscom commander DCP Hazani Ghazali said there had been claims and photos that went viral in social media which stated that fishing vessels within the eastern Sabah security zone (Esszone) refused to allow inspections on their boats.

It was claimed that the boat operators considered themselves to be above the law just because they flew the flag of a certain political party.

“We would like to stress that all vessels suspected to be in violation of the law will be inspected and the operators will be penalised accordingly.

“I also advise the people living within the zone to always follow the instructions of security forces to ensure peace is maintained,” he said in a statement here today.

The photos, which are making their rounds in Whatsapp, were purportedly shot by border security officers in Lahad Datu.

The Whatsapp messages alleged that ever since Parti Warisan Sabah became the ruling party, boats flying the Warisan flag had rejected inspections and refused to stop their boats when ordered by the authorities.