LAHAD DATU SCHOOLS CLOSED

WATCH.....Police commandos keep watch outside Kampung Tanduo near Lahad Datu.

KUALA LUMPUR : Eleven schools in Lahad Datu have been closed since last Friday following the intrusion incident in Sabah, said Education director-general Tan Sri Abdul Ghafar Mahmud here today.

“The schools were instructed to remain closed until this Wednesday through a letter dated March 1. The closure may be extended if the situation is not resolved by then,” he told Bernama.

The Sabah Education Department and police will monitor developments in the area before deciding on the extension, he said.

Abdul Ghafar said although parents did not urge for the schools to be closed, the Education Ministry took the precautionary measure to do so.

He added that there replacement classes would be held once the situation returned to normal.

Meanwhile, Sabah Education Department deputy-director Maimunah Suhaibul confirmed receiving the the Education Ministry letter, when contacted here.

“We implemented the instructions immediately,” she said.

Among the schools affected were Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Cina Chee Vun, Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Tungku and SK Lahad Datu II.

The armed intruders incident in Sabah since February 12 has claimed the lives of eight Malaysian security personnel to date, two in Lahad Datu and six in Semporna. (Bernama)