#mataking island

[therakyatpost]

New Post has been published on The Rakyat Post

New Post has been published on http://www.therakyatpost.com/news/2014/05/06/sabah-takes-latest-kidnapping-seriously-says-cm/

Sabah takes latest kidnapping seriously, says CM

By Sandra Sokial

KOTA KINABALU, May 6:

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman described the latest abduction case in Silam as “a bad news” which needs to be eradicated urgently.

“We are looking into the matter seriously,” said Musa when chairing the State Security Committee emergency meeting here today, to find the best approach to overcome a repeat of the incident.

During the meeting, Musa was briefed by security agencies following the abduction of a manager with the Wonderful Terrace Sdn Bhd fish farming company in Pulau Baik, off Silam, in Lahad Datu, at 2.45am, today, less than 24 hours after a group of fishermen were robbed by four armed men off Kampung Tanjung Labian, also in the district.

“The Committee wants security measures within the Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) area to be beefed up. We are taking drastic action such as implementing the ‘Control Area’ which limits entry based on time, location and situations.

“Those wishing to enter the ‘Control Area’ must obtain a permit from the police,” he said, adding that the state government will also be setting up ‘Forward Base’ at strategic locations for monitoring purposes, and to set up a ‘Curfew Area’ and ‘Designated Route’ at high-risk locations to disallow any movements after the set time.

Musa said they will be coming up with short and long planning to suit the needs within Esscom, besides installing high-technology radars and add up speed boats at these high-risk locations.

“We also hope the Esscom communication standard operating procedure can be improved to ensure fast delivery of information.

“As the Chief Minister and chairman of the State Security Committee, I assure that we will ensure the people’s and tourists’ security are protected. We hope that those living within the coastal areas to also assist us should they get any information of possible kidnapping or any related cases,” Musa concluded.

[therakyatpost]

New Post has been published on The Rakyat Post

New Post has been published on http://www.therakyatpost.com/news/2014/05/06/esscom-chase-shootout-ensued-kidnappers-escaped-international-waters/

Esscom: Chase and shootout ensue, kidnappers flee

By Sandra Sokial

KOTA KINABALU, May 6:

Efforts were made by Malaysian security forces to intercept the kidnappers from escaping but failed, said Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) director-general Datuk Mohammad Mentek, today.

He said Esscom defence and security personnel, including the air and sea units, had spotted the kidnappers, believed to be from the Southern Philippines, resulting in a chase and shootout nearby the Mataking Island, but the criminals managed to escape into international waters.

Mohammad, who is currently in the Philippines for a meeting on security, confirmed that Yang Zai Lin, a 34-year-old from Guangzhao, China, was kidnapped by five armed men from the fish farm at Pulau Baik, or also known as Pulau Babi, off Silam in Lahad Datu, at about 2.45am, today.

The incident happened just less than 24 hours after four fishermen were robbed of their boat engines by four heavily armed men clad in camouflaged uniforms on Sunday.

Mohammad said Yang had been working as a manager with the Wonderful Terrace Sdn Bhd, a Hong Kong based fish farming company, in the last three years.

Initial investigation revealed that the company had employed 16 people, comprising eight Timorese men, who possessed valid documents, and the remaining are Suluks, including a woman, who failed to produce identification documents.

Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Hamza Taib is expected to hold a press conference on the case soon.

On April 2, a China-national, Gao Hua Yuan, 29, was also kidnapped while vacationing in the Singamata Reef Resort, off Semporna.

Apart from her, the seven armed men also abducted resort staff Marcy Dayawan, 40.

Both women are still under captivity in the Southern Philippines.

They are reported to be safe and well.

[mikeschad]

New Post has been published on http://www.scuba-blog.com/mataking-island-diving-get-best-experience-diving/

Mataking Island Diving – Get the Best Experience in Diving

Mataking Island which is known as the excellent home base for divers, by itself and is closely surrounded by other Islands harboring more than 20 sites. There is only one dive shop called The Reef Dive Resort in Mataking Island which is the epitome of luxury. This resort runs trips around the island so there are no cases of divers crowding over the place which can scare off the marine life.

Mataking Island is also good place for non-divers as they can visit to enjoy the great sceneries as they watch the divers do their thing. As you search around the reefs for mandarin fish, giant frogfish or the rare pygmy seahorses, you will give a chance to enjoy the schools of trevally, barracuda and Spanish mackerel all swirling around you. These make Mataking island the place to be. You can also find things like ribbon eels and leaf fish among the hard and soft corals in the Mataking reefs. If you are lucky enough, you may get a chance to see the elusive orangutan crab moving with all its fuzzy glory.

Great Dive Sites in Mataking Island

What make Mataking Island diving so famous are its few but unique dive sites which are situated in an area full of unique and colorful creatures. These great sites are:

The Underwater Post Office

The origin of this site is very unique. It all started in 2006 when an old wooden cargo ship was sunk of the Island. This was done as part of a conservation project. Amazingly, the ship became an artificial reef for tropical reef fish and for diving enthusiasts, it became a post office. This may not be making a lot of sense to you but yes, it is a real post office. Divers are able to deposit their postcards which are later picked up and send to different parts of the world. The mail is wrapped carefully in a waterproof bag then placed in a mailbox the helm of the ship. The mails are picked up twice each week and are then sent off to their destinations.

The Garden of Eden

Garden of Eden is a diving site situated just south of Mataking Besar. It consists of beautiful soft corals, featherstars and anemones. In this place you will meet plenty of Angelfish and Moorish Idols swimming during your diving adventure. You will also come across frogfish, leaf fish and colorful ribbon eels swimming through this colorful site. The dive here drops to a depth of 25 meters and is characterized by a mild current.

Other Dives

A part from the above two dives; there are other dive sites which include Lobsters Lair, Nudibranch Garden, Turtle Playground and Hump Head Point. These sites are homes for plenty of sea creatures from which they derive their names.

Which is the best time to visit Mataking Island for diving?

The diving on Mataking Island is usually open all the seasons of the year. However, the best visibility is experienced during the dry seasons. If you wish to get the best dive experience, visit the Island between March and October.