Patrol sea chase ends in shootout

Patrol sea chase ends in shootout

MALAYSIA: Twelve people, believed to be illegal immigrants, were detained by the Malaysian army after a shootout at sea, off the coast of the east Malaysian state of Sabah, Bernama news agency reported on Tuesday.

Brig. Gen. Muhammad Yassin Yahya said a boat ferrying a dozen people had opened fire on a six-man military vessel patrolling the area on the northwest coast of Borneo island on Monday.

After a brief chase, the patrol shot and damaged the boat's outboard engine, forcing the vessel to stop. No casualties were reported.

None of the detainees, aged between four and 40 years old, carried identification papers, and all have been turned over to the Semporna town police early Tuesday morning. --Reuters