Residents at M16 armed intruder to death in Semporna

Dozens of residents acting beat to death M16 gunmen, believed to be involved in an ambush that killed five policemen, in the village of Sri Jaya, Siminul, Semporna last night.

However, until now the police have not given confirmation of the identity of the man.

In the incidence of 7 am today, a burly man, dressed in black, holding a gun M-16 and aged in his 50's, down from a hill and fired several shots into a prayer house in the village of Old Senallang, Semporna here.

A resident, Abdul Hani Samaullah, 44, said after the man was shot in the silent morning screaming that "I am a police shooting last night."

"The man then opened the doors of homes of each and ordered them to gather in a field," said the gathering together of people in a state of fear.

Abdul Hani said the villagers attacked the men were on his squat and install a lit cigarette and lay down his arms.

He said the man was beaten to death and his body was placed near a tree in the village.

Bernama journalists who travel to cover the opening of the new bridge by the Minister of Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Nihak Nihak Village, at 8:30 am of 30 miles from Old Senallang Village, lived to see the bodies of the man and found the head man covered in blood.

Looks population update their suitcases and vacate their homes by bringing family members, including children and women, to escape to the other village.

Most of the residents are farmers and smallholders oil palm plantations. Bernama attempt to contact the Semporna district police chief DSP Mohd Firdaus Abdullah Francis failed to get more information.

Sri Jaya Simunul village on the outskirts of Semporna and Senallang Old Village was about five kilometers from the town.

Checks by Bernama today found Semporna town town quiet now when almost all business premises closed, including three stations.

Public Market Semporna is usually so busy with dealers and customers also quiet when only a handful of traders seem to open their stalls, but the fishermen do not go out to sea to catch fish.

Meanwhile, travelers from the Czech Republic Jam Fest, 67, who with his family are planning a vacation to the island of Mabul hope incidence battle between security forces and unidentified armed groups could be resolved as soon as possible.

"I found that Semporna may be among the best tourist destinations in the world and certainly in Asia. Quickly I hope this incident is over," he said.

She said her holiday plans to Mabul Island with his wife and his family were postponed to a date yet to be determined by travel agencies.

"I've been here for two days. Should my wife and I tomorrow to Mabul Island but suddenly crops is delayed by travel agencies," he said.

Meanwhile, some villagers found Sri Jaya, said almost all of the approximately 2,000 to 3,000 residents had left their homes.