KOTA KINABALU: Security forces in Sabah's east coast do not view notorious Abu Sayyaf-linked gunman Murphy Basaluddin Ladja as a threat, after Filipino authorities freed him due to lack of witnesses.

Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) commander Deputy Comm Datuk Hazani Ghazali said the man, who was listed among the Esscom's wanted list, was aging and believes that he was no longer a threat to Sabah.