He likened the approach to footballing tactics, saying the state could not afford to merely defend all the time.

The Semporna MP said he told the state security council meeting today that Sabah could not rely on a defensive approach such as monitoring its own seas and identifying the culprits who carried out the kidnappings.

“We have to work with the governments of the Philippines and Indonesia and our Esscom (Eastern Sabah Security Command).

“It’s like football… if we only stick to defending, the fullbacks and goalkeeper will not be able to cope. We have to score a goal, our strikers need to strike.

“We need to work with our neighbours,” Shafie said here today.

Shafie said he was not asking authorities to go on the offensive to cause any bloodshed.

“I don’t have any problems between the neighbouring coutries but there must be a proper working relationship between the governments.

“The kidnappings happen in Malaysia, the kidnapped victims are Indonesians and the kidnappers are (believed to be) from the Philippines – that is why it must be joint efforts by the governments.

“I’m sure our neighbouring countries know who these people are… why don’t we go there and crack down on this.”

On Dec 6, a tugboat skipper was shot in the thigh during an attempted heist by a group of four men at Pegasus Reef near Pulau Tambisan in Lahad Datu.

Sabah police commissioner Omar Mammah said four men boarded the tugboat and shot the victim who called for help after the men left.

The police, he said, were also investigating claims that the same men had attacked another boat with several crew members on board, not far from the first incident.

In Sept this year, two Indonesian crew members of a fishing boat were kidnapped by armed men in waters off Pulau Gaya, Semporna.