A Malaysian policeman was among six people detained as Sulu terrorist suspects in a special operation in Kunak district in Sabah today.

Inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar said the suspect is a corporal.

"The latest arrests by the Bukit Aman Special Branch and Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) is a follow-up from the intrusion incident in Lahad Datu, Sabah in February last year," he said.

Khalid (right) said the police also seized membership cards and commander appointment certificates of the Sulu sultanate, several documents linked to the sultanate, as well as weapons.

Áll of them were detained under Section 124(C) of the Penal Code and would be investigated under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma).

In February last year, a group of armed terrorists intruded into Lahad Datu in which 10 Malaysian security personnel comprising eight policemen and two soldiers were killed.

Meanwhile, Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) director-general Mohammad Mentek has refuted claims that an exchange of fire occurred between Malaysian security forces and cross-border criminals in Kunak early today.

Instead, he said, Kunak town was safe and calm, unlike the tense situation reported widely by the social media.

However, Mohammad confirmed that Esscom launched the 22nd 'Op Gasak' early today in Kunak encompassing three villages, namely Kampung Bakau, Kampung Nelayan and Kampung Basilan.

The 22nd 'Op Gasak' was led by Esscom director of operations Abdul Rashid Harun and involved various security and defence agencies including the Immigration Department and National Registration Department.

"Op Gasak was launched following the kidnapping incident in Kampung Air Sapang, Kunak recently and I hope the public will remain calm and not spread untruths, especially through the social media," he said in a statement, here, today.

    

Meanwhile, Abdul Rashid said 129 people believed to be illegal immigrants were detained in the operation carried out for seven hours from 3am today.

He said all of them, including 34 women, were detained for having no valid identification documents, adding that the illegals were then brought to the Kunak community hall before being handed over to the Immigration Department.

- Bernama