KOTA KINABALU, March 16 -- A crocodile sighting at the popular Tanjung Aru beach has halted most water activities and raised public concern.

The Kota Kinabalu Civil Defence Department announced the reptile sighting on their Facebook page, stating they received information from beach-goers at around 8.15am today.

"The beach rescue tower officials received information about a crocodile seen in the sea at around 8.15am," they said.

"Beach personnel immediately raised red flags to alert the public and warn them against going for sea or water activities following the sighting," it said.

A beach patrol vehicle immediately spread the alert and asked members of the public along the 3km stretch to refrain from water activities for the time bei...