Sabah deputy police chief Jauteh Dikun said although there had been no evidence to substantiate the matter so far, police are taking the matter seriously as it involved national security.

“The police report was lodged in Lahad Datu. We are following up on it and conducting intelligence work,” he told reporters after observing the Ops Selamat traffic operation at Putatan near here today.

“We are always prepared, and not just because of this information. We are ready to respond to any type of intrusion or threat to our nation’s sovereignty,” he said.

Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) chief Hamzah Ahmad had previously said police were investigating the claim that 10 armed men from a neigbouring country had infiltrated Lahad Datu through the Tambisan waters.

Following Hamzah’s remarks, Sabah police chief Idris Abdullah said there was no evidence yet to back up the claim.