Lahad Datu News Compilation Thread

[BlackRiders]

Tuesday March 12, 2013

Lahad Datu: MIC donates funds to bereaved families

KUALA LUMPUR: The MIC will donate RM5,000 each to the families of the eight policemen killed by Sulu militants in Lahad Datu and Semporna.

Party president Datuk Seri G. Palanivel said that the policemen should be honoured for sacrificing their lives for the nation.

The Minister in the Prime Minis-ter's Department said that the money would be channelled to the families through the Royal Malaysian Police Welfare Fund.

Former MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu has pledged a personal contribution of RM10,000 each to the bereaved families.

In a statement, he said he had already mentioned this to Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar.

Samy Vellu, who is the Special Envoy for Infrastructure (South Asia and India), urged the people to do their part for the families.

 

[BlackRiders]

Tuesday March 12, 2013

Lahad Datu: ‘Close relative’ of Jamalul Kiram held

KOTA KINABALU: A close relative of self-proclaimed Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III has been detained by police who continue their search for about 20 other key suspects linked to the Sulu armed group's incursion in Kampung Tanduo.

Police are tightlipped on the details of the Kiram family circle they are hunting for, but at least two are believed to be a brother and cousin of Raja Muda Azzimudie Kiram who led the gunmen to Tanduo.

The brother, who is involved in transporting fish, has been staying in Lahad Datu with his family and moved to Semporna recently.

He disappeared after initially assisting in negotiations to end the standoff which began on Feb 12.

It is not known if he was the one detained as the Kiram family has many relatives living in various parts of Sabah and the peninsula.

Those arrested so far are believed to include at least seven uniformed personnel and a local politician as well as many sympathisers in Lahad Datu and Semporna where raids are ongoing .

Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Hamza Taib told the daily media briefing yesterday that six more people have been detained for suspected links to terrorists, bringing the total to 97 detained under Section 130(C) of the Security Offences and Special Measures Act 2012.

He said 125 others had also been detained for trying to enter areas where Ops Daulat was being conducted.

Meanwhile, the self-proclaimed sultanate's spokesman, Ahmad Idjirani, said Azzimudie was still alive, claiming that the latter had contacted him in Manila on Sunday night to say that he was keeping well. ”He asked me to tell his brothers and sisters in the Philippines that he was in good health. Azzimudie said that he was still in Sabah and wanted to continue living there,'' he added.

Azzimudie is the younger brother of Jamalul Kiram III.

 

[BlackRiders]

Tuesday March 12, 2013

Lahad Datu: Nervous fishermen going back to sea again

Catch of the day: Fisherman sorting the day’s catch at a jetty in Semporna.

KUNAK: Fishermen Nordin Salleh and Haidar Rahman were nervous as they ventured out to sea again after a two-week hiatus.

“I was afraid there would be shooting at sea if the police come across the armed intruders in boats trying to come in or escape and we'd be caught in the middle of it.

“I don't fancy being shot by the police or the gunmen. I just want to fish because I have mouths to feed,” said Nordin.

Haidar fears a hostage situation.

“I am afraid the armed men might seize our boat, kidnap us at gunpoint and keep us captive until our taukeh pays a ransom to get back his boat.

“I am sure he'd pay for the boat but I'm not sure if he'd pay for us,” he said when met on Saturday as he prepared the boat for another overnight fishing trip.

Marine police and security forces have been keeping close watch at sea for the Sulu armed intruders who arrived in boats and held Kg Tanduo under siege for three weeks.

The armed forces and police carried out a massive exercise on Tuesday to end the siege, flushed out the gunmen and reclaimed Kg Tanduo.

Both Kg Tanduo and Semporna, which is 275km away, are near the sea and boats are the main way the Suluk from southern Philippines come in and out of Sabah.

Nordin and Haidar said their employer gave them supplies of rice, coffee, sugar and cigarettes and some money in the two weeks that they could not go out to sea due to the dangerous situation. Normally, they would earn about RM600 each.

Haidar said they fished about 60km offshore on Friday.

“We are not going too far and we are staying away from the Kg Tanduo area even though we normally fish there,” he said.

Ernisah Mohd Tahir, who sells fish at the Kunak market, said many of the big boats were still not going out but the ones that did so came back with more fish that usual.

She said fish prices had gone up a little “but people are still buying because there is not much supply”.

 

[BlackRiders]

Tuesday March 12, 2013

Lahad Datu: Schools in Lahad Datu and Semporna reopen

LAHAD DATU: Fifty-four schools five in Lahad Datu and 49 in Semporna have been reopened after police deemed the situation in the area to be safe and under control.

The five schools in Lahad Datu are Sekolah Kebangsaan Tambisan, SK Sahabat 16, SK Sahabat 4, SK Cenderawasih and Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Desa Kencana.

Lahad Datu Police Chief Supt Shamsuddin Mat said that three schools in the district remained closed yesterday because they are in the red zone.

They are SK Lok Buani, SK Fajar Harapan and SK Tanjung Labian.

Glad to be back: Students of SRK Kampung Terusan Baru returning to their school on the first day after a week-long closure.

According to Bernama, attendance was low, with many parents unaware that the schools had reopened.

At SK Sahabat 4, about 80 pupils and 10 teachers turned up for lessons.

Senior assistant Mohamad Ostad Ulang said the school had 373 pupils and 29 teachers.

The situation was similar in Semporna, where only 200 pupils attended the morning session at Sekolah Kebangsaan Simunul.

Headmistress Sarudah Arun said the school, which has morning and afternoon sessions, has 1,321 pupils.

The schools were closed on March 4 after an ambush in Kampung Simunul on March 2 killed six policemen and six Sulu intruders.

 

[BlackRiders]

Ohh.. now then allow journalists in..

Tuesday March 12, 2013

Lahad Datu: Arrival of journalists turns into silver lining for taxi drivers

LAHAD DATU: Every cloud has a silver lining, and taxi drivers here can attest to that.

Many shops have been closed for business following the Sulu gunmen's appearance but taxi drivers and car rental operators are earning big bucks from the hoards of pressmen who have descended upon the district to cover the intrusion.

Some of them have earned almost RM15,000 thanks to the surging demand for rented vehicles or chartered taxis.

Lahad Datu taxi and car rental association chairman Jalalkamis Raupong said the arrival of Malaysian and international journalists had been good for their business.

“We have earned between RM5,000 and RM15,000 in less than a month,” he said.

“Previously, we had to compete very hard with others. Our income was low,” he said.

Taxi drivers and car rental operators who were “daring enough” to work these days had earned more than what they used to earn in six months or even a year, Jalalkamis said.

He said a one-way trip to Tanjung Labian or Felda Sahabat 16 from Lahad Datu town would cost about RM150. Those who prefer to charter a vehicle would be charged RM500 for a trip from 8am to 10pm.

“Although some drivers were required to drive about 300km or further if they enter Tanjung Labian, they do not mind as long as the money comes in,” he said.

Jalalkamis said there had been some restrictions in access to certain areas following the shootout in Tanduo and Semporna.

“Drivers are now required to put up a sign stating media' before they are allowed to pass,” he said.

However, some other drivers had also decided to forgo the business opportunity as they feared for their safety, he added.

 

[BlackRiders]

Tuesday March 12, 2013

Zahid Hamidi: Filipinos in Sabah not mistreated

GOMBAK: The Defence Ministry has denied reports that Filipinos in Sabah were being mistreated and shot at by security forces in search of Sulu terrorists in Lahad Datu.

Its Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi described the allegations as baseless.

“If there is any development, the police and armed forces will make the necessary announcement,” he said after the Mahallah LTAT ground-breaking ceremony at International Islamic University Malaysia here yesterday.

Dr Ahmad Zahid was asked to address reports in the Philippine media of alleged inhumane treatment of the country's citizens during the operation against the Sulu gunmen led by Raja Muda Azzimudie Kiram.

Dr Ahmad Zahid said the security forces had followed standard operating procedures when conducting Ops Daulat to flush out armed militants.

“We also received no official report that thousands of Malaysians of Sulu descent had sought refuge in the Philippines,” he added.

Dr Ahmad Zahid also hit out at Jacel Kiram the daughter of self-proclaimed Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III over remarks that it was unIslamic of the Malaysian Government to “steal the land of others or to pilfer from it”.

“She needs to study all the historical evidence,” he said, adding that the Philippine Government did not recognise the Sulu Sultanate.

He also said the Government's move to deploy five additional battalions to Sabah was necessary to enhance security in the area.

“At the moment, the number of security personnel is sufficient,” he said.

On when the situation in the east coast of Sabah will return to normal, Dr Ahmad Zahid said: “I wish there will be peace tomorrow but there is no indication the armed intruders will lay down their weapons any time soon.”

 

[BlackRiders]

Tuesday March 12, 2013

Lahad Datu: Phase one of security area named ESS Com

KOTA KINABALU: Phase one of the special security area in the Ops Daulat operations against the armed intruders covering the east coast districts from Kudat to Tawau has been named the Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESS Com).

Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Musa Aman said details of ESS Com would be announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

Musa told reporters this after chairing the state security working committee meeting pertaining to the armed intrusion here yesterday.

A follow-up meeting would be held tomorrow on the ESS Com, he said.

Meanwhile, Musa said Sabahans had shown their support on the special security area to better monitor the activities and entry of people along the 1,400km coastline.

“This is also our way to honour our fallen heroes and to show the security forces that their sacrifices are appreciated,” he said.

Musa urged the public to donate to a special fund for the policemen killed in Lahad Datu and Kampung Simunul, Semporna, through the state security council office.

The public can contact the office at 088-488 500 or 013-482 1604 and 013-306 0106 to enquire about making donations.

 

[BlackRiders]

Tuesday March 12, 2013

Lahad Datu: Another Sulu gunman’s death raises toll to 54

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LAHAD DATU: Another gunman has been shot dead the 54th casualty among the Sulu gunmen as security forces removed 22 bodies from Kampung Tanjung Batu and Semporna.

Sabah police chief Comm Datuk Hamza Taib said the bodies had been sent to Tawau Hospital and Lahad Datu Hospital for forensic investigations and post-mortem.

“We did not remove the nine bodies found in Kampung Tanduo as they were too badly decomposed,” he told a press conference.

The gunman killed on Sunday was shot in Kampung Tanjung Batu after two policemen were injured during sporadic shooting.

This brings the number of injured personnel to five.

Comm Hamza also said six more people had been detained for suspected links to the terrorists, bringing the total to 97 detained under Section 130(C) of the Security Offences and Special Measures Act 2012.

Another 125 people have also been detained for trying to enter areas where operations were being conducted.

Comm Hamza added that mopping-up operations in Kampung Tanduo had ended and security forces were in the final stages of clearing out any remaining gunmen.

“We are now focusing on Kampung Tanjung Batu and Sungai Bilis areas. Hopefully we can finish soon and allow villagers to go home,” he said.

 

[BlackRiders]

Tuesday March 12, 2013

Lahad Datu: It was – and is – Malaysian soil

Malaysian once more: The Jalur Gemilang flying in Kampung Tanduo to symbolise the area is now free of terrorists. — Pic courtesy of Defence Ministry

Reports by P.K. KATHARASON, MUGUNTAN VANAR, RUBEN SARIO, STEPHANIE LEE, PHILIP GOLINGAI, SHAHANAAZ HABIB, SHAUN HO, RAZAK AHMAD, AUSTIN CAMOENS, P. ARUNA, YUEN MEIKENG, CHRISTINA TAN, IVAN LOH, NIK NAIZI HUSIN and HAMDAN RAJA ABDULLAH, with photos by AZHAR MAHFOF, NORMIMIE DIUN and M. AZHAR ARIF. VIDEOS by ARON RAJ and IBRAHIM HARRIS.

LAHAD DATU: Malaysian security forces fully secured ground zero at Kampung Tanduo and raised the Malaysian flag there as the guns fell silent after a week of heavy bombardment and sporadic fire fights.

Twenty-two bodies of the Sulu terrorists were brought out yesterday and sent for post-mortem to the Lahad Datu and Tawau hospitals as mopping-up operations continued.

Declaring that the operations for remnant gunmen within Tanduo had ended, Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Hamza Taib said the focus was now on Kampung Tanjung Batu and Kampung Sungai Bilis.

When asked at the daily Ops Daulat briefing at Felda Sahabat 16 Residence Resort if there was any shooting yesterday, he said: “So far, no.”

Hamza added that the security forces were in the final stages of clearing the gunmen in neighbouring villages from where nearly 2,000 people have fled to stay in community halls in Felda Sahabat.

Staying vigilant: Security forces from the VAT 69 unit surveilling the area at Felda Sahabat.

Although life in Semporna and Lahad Datu is returning to normal, he reminded villagers not to re-enter Tanjung Batu and Sungai Bilis, which are still classified as red zones.

On the bodies sent to the hospitals in Lahad Datu (18 bodies) and Tawau (four), Hamza said he could not comment on a purported statement by a forensic officer that one of the bodies was that of Haji Musa, a general of Sulu group leader Raja Muda Azzimudie Kiram.

“I cannot say if that is the body of Haji Musa as it was not in uniform when it was found,” he said.

It is believed that Haji Musa, of Bajau ethnic origin, was a former general of the Philippines army and, later, a commander of the Moro National Liberation Front led by Nur Misuari.

Villagers have claimed that a son of a former Tanduo village political leader involved in a land dispute with Felda was married to Haji Musa's daughter.

They said Haji Musa, in his late 60s, had many relatives in Sungai Bilis and wore the uniform of a brigadier-general of the so-called Sulu royal army.

The fate of Azzimudie, 72, a former assistant district officer of Kudat and also married to the daughter of a local village head, is still unknown.

Meanwhile, the Kiram family had reportedly sought the assistance of the Philippine Government to discuss a disengagement of his followers' armed incursion into Sabah when they forcibly occupied Kampung Tanduo and raised three “Sulu flags” with the tiger insignia.

 

[BlackRiders]

12 March 2013| last updated at 08:34AM

LATEST ON LAHAD DATU: 'My comrades were slaughtered'

GUNFIGHT: Cop recounts the moment Sulu terrorists killed his colleagues in Kampung Simunul on March 2

AS the main assaulters in the police raiding team outside the terrorists hideout were hit by bullets, *Adam, *Amir and the other operatives behind them pulled back and dove for cover. The enemy had a clear field of fire and the police team was exposed.

Just seconds after the terrorists opened fire, the area where the terrorists were located exploded in a volley of fresh fire as more enemy combatants lit up the police assault team. The police laid down suppressive fire to give their men a chance to get behind cover.

Many leapt into the door-less houses that lined the walkway; these would be their foxholes for the next 24 hours, at least. Adam and Amir were among those who escaped the complex maze. They dialled up their combat net (command centre) and called for backup.

Recalling that moment, Adam said as he moved further from the house, turning his head every now and then, he saw the terrorists exit the house to pull his comrades who were lying in pools of their own blood outside the door, closer in.

"One of our men who was shot at the door retreated but fell into the water below. Somehow, he managed to call the operations centre.

"He was telling command about the ambush and that he had been shot. The terrorists must have heard him. We found his bullet-riddled body a few metres from where he fell," Adam said.

This was the only time throughout our conversation that Adam was overcome with emotion.

"Then there was a lull in the fighting. I looked back and this was when I saw the terrorists striking my brothers with their barong (a knife resembling a cleaver used in the Philippines) repeatedly.

"They were already badly wounded. I did not hear any sound coming from them as they were being hacked," the officer, not more than 30, said. He let his voice trail off until he was barely audible.

Heavy gunfire resumed, this time coming from all directions. *Musa, who was peering through the cracks with one eye cocked on the four men he had in custody in case they decided to jump him, was almost hit by two rounds that slammed through the window.

In less than a minute from when the first shot was fired, several terrorists began to advance and press on with their attack on the policemen. The terrorists appeared to know the area well as they were believed to have entered the village about a week before.

Musa said as it was quite dark outside, he could not return fire for fear of hitting one of his own. From where he was, he could see the atrocities that were being committed against his fallen comrades in the dimly-lit blue house.

His voice cracked as he told us: "If there is one thing I could erase from my memory, it is the sight of seeing my fellow brothers slaughtered by the terrorists.

"I saw one of my brothers, who had been shot and was barely alive, when one of the terrorists swung his barong at his neck. He was later shot in the mouth," Musa said, his voice cracking.

This was the same time that Inspector Mohd Hasnal, who was kneeling on the walkway after being shot, was being attacked by a barong-wielding terrorist.

Although he could not fight back, Hasnal shielded himself from the blows with his arms. By then, his fingers and forearm were almost severed. His attacker had also managed to strike him on his head and back.

*Ahmad, from his position, saw the whole thing and lit Hasnal's attacker up with his weapon. His trigger finger never relaxed as he fired off round after round, spent bullet casings coming out of his ejection port in a torrent of brass. He also killed another terrorist.

Ahmad unloaded an entire magazine clip on Hasnal's attacker before the terrorist fell into the boat below. Police later found amulets around the terrorist's waist. He and the rest of the terrorists did not have body armour or ballistic protection.

It was then that Hasnal got up to take cover. As luck would have it, he chose the path that led to the house Ahmad was in. Seeing him approach, Ahmad dived into the narrow corridor and pushed Hasnal into the house Musa was in.

Superintendent Ibrahim Lebar, who had just been shot a few metres away, was a few steps behind Hasnal. However, he came face to face with a terrorist who had turned into the corridor. The terrorist shot at him and attacked him with a barong.

Ahmad, who had heard the shot from inside the house, shot at the terrorist, who managed to run away. Ibrahim died in the corridor. Having seen the kind of butchers the Suluk terrorists were, Ahmad was determined to keep his superior's body intact. He dragged his body in.

As the night fell silent

The next 24 hours was a living hell for Musa and the rest of the men trapped at the village. Although the night had became still since the final rounds were fired, they were hunkered down within the four walls of their concealed positions. They didn't know whom they could trust.

With one hand on his weapon and pointing it at the four suspects, and the other trying to stem the flow of blood from Hasnal's wounds, Musa's eyes darted around the house. He didn't know where the terrorists would breach his position, where they were going to come in from. They could come in through the kitchen door or the open window he was facing. He prayed hard for a rescue team to come soon.

"I had to urinate in my pants and a piece of cloth, because if the terrorists heard the sound of water dripping, we were all dead. "Occasionally, I would wake Hasnal up to make sure he was still alive."

Musa had found a water container that the occupants of the house had used to catch water leaking from the roof. It was full of unidentifiable particles and lizard droppings. "I drank it and gave Hasnal some. That was the same water that I used to clean off the blood on his face."

He said that while his phone battery had long died, he had to remove Hasnal's phone battery as he was unsure of how to switch it off. He couldn't risk the terrorists tracing them. The four suspects had been patted down before the ambush and had had their phones seized.

The rescue operation

The sound of the wooden walkway creaking at 5pm the next day jolted an exhausted Musa. Heavy footsteps advancing towards him followed. He peeked through the cracks and saw scores of VAT 69 commandos in full tactical assault gear scouring the area. He grabbed the reflective vest he had hidden throughout the night and hung it by the window, to indicate his position to the rescuers.

Earlier, before his mission was launched, the entire team had agreed on a set of pro words, hand signals and gestures to convey information efficiently. As agreed during the briefing at the headquarters, in case anything were to go wrong, Musa would lie still on his back.

This would enable the rescue team to immediately identify him as a friendly. The commandos stormed into the house and as per procedure, he gave them a brief report. They then secured and took with them all the weapons in the room, including his.

"I somewhat felt like a prisoner when my weapon was taken away. "Then, the commandos shouted 'Secured!' and said that they would come back for me," he said. Inspector Hasnal was immediately taken away by two of the commandos out of the hostile area.

"It was the greatest relief for me when Hasnal was brought out alive. "He had fought hard for his life and it was not in vain."

The blue house from where the first volley of fire had come from in Kampung Simunul on March 2.

 

[BlackRiders]

12 March 2013| last updated at 08:32AM

LATEST ON LAHAD DATU: Kg Tanduo secured, Ops Daulat may end soon

DISENGAGEMENT TALKS: Jamalul's brother has meeting with Philippine govt

THE conflict on the east coast of Sabah may be reaching the end sooner than expected. After a series of heavy bombardments in the red zone in Felda Sahabat, security forces yesterday announced that they had secured Kampung Tanduo, the scene of fierce fighting over the past week.

This was where the terrorists from Sulu had holed up since they landed on Malaysian shores a month ago. Security forces had nabbed 97 people suspected of having links with the terrorists. Most of these arrests were in Semporna, where there is a large squatter settlement of Suluks.

"The end is in sight," said Sabah police commissioner Datuk Hamza Taib yesterday.

His statement was given added credence when reports out of Manila stated that Bantilan Esmail Kiram II, the younger brother of self-proclaimed Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III, was in a closed-door meeting with Philippine Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas to discuss the "disengagement" of the so-called "royal Sulu army".

Roxas was quoted as saying that the meeting centred on the "disengagement" of the gunmen in Sabah to protect the innocent who are not involved in the conflict.

The Malaysian government had warned that there would be no ceasefire until the terrorists laid down their arms and surrendered unconditionally.

While negotiations are going on between the Sulu sultanate and the Philippine government, thousands of Suluks residing illegally in Sabah are making their way back to Sulu.
On Sunday, more than 1,000 Suluks boarded barter boats from Sandakan for southern Philippines.

Yesterday, another group of more than 300 followed suit.

Soldiers in an armoured vehicle monitoring the beach at Kampung Tanduo, Lahad Datu, during the ‘Ops Daulat’ mopping-up exercise against terrorists from Sulu on Sunday. Picture courtesy of Ministry of Defence

 

[BlackRiders]

Published: Tuesday March 12, 2013 MYT 11:05:00 AM
Updated: Tuesday March 12, 2013 MYT 9:11:54 PM

Lahad Datu: More bodies of Sulu gunmen in Kg Tanduo, says Sabah CPO
By SHAUN HO

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LAHAD DATU: More bodies of Sulu gunmen are believed to be buried in Kampung Tanduo than previously discovered.

Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Hamza Taib said he had new information that there were up to 15 bodies buried there.

"We believe there are more bodies buried in the same grave and in other graves nearby.

"Our men will be going back to investigate," he told the morning press conference here Tuesday.

Nine bodies of the gunmen were initially discovered in a hole by security forces after a strike on the village on March 6 where the armed intruders had been holed up since Feb 9.

Hamza also confirmed that the body of Haji Musa, a general of the Sulu group led by Azzimudie Kiram, was recovered from Kampung Tanjung Batu.

"One more body was recovered from Kg Tanjung Batu today, bringing the total number of bodies recovered to 23," added Hamza.

The death toll for the gunmen remains at 54 and no shootings were reported since Monday.

Malaysian security forces launched an all-out offensive against the group last Tuesday after attempts to end the three-week stand-off peacefully failed.

 

[BlackRiders]

Published: Tuesday March 12, 2013 MYT 11:42:00 AM
Updated: Tuesday March 12, 2013 MYT 12:46:08 PM

Lahad Datu: Permanent security post to be set up once Ops Daulat ends
By RAHIMY RAHIM

Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi

KUALA LUMPUR: A permanent base will soon be set up at Lahad Datu, in Sabah, to monitor the situation after Ops Daulat ends, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said.

He said the base will be taken over by the Malaysian Enforcement Maritime Agency (MMEA), National Security Council (NSC), and the police once the ongoing operation has ended.

"The new camp will take some time to be set up and we are temporarily putting cabins and our national security personnel at the location," he told a press conference after announcing the financial results of Lembaga Tabung Angkatan Tentera (LTAT) at its headquarters here Tuesday.

He also warned the Philippines media not to produce conflicting reports of the real situation on the ground of the ongoing conflict in Sabah.

"We do not want certain media reports to affect the good ties Malaysia enjoys with the Philippines," he said.

 

[BlackRiders]

Published: Tuesday March 12, 2013 MYT 3:12:00 PM
Updated: Tuesday March 12, 2013 MYT 3:53:08 PM

Lahad Datu: Man on wanted list among six detained in Semporna over suspected links to Sulu gunmen

The scene at Kampung Bangau-Bangau in Semporna, Sabah. Special forces raid a house in the village where the Sulu terrorists suspects were said to have been hiding.

SEMPORNA: A man high on the police wanted list was among six people detained Tuesday on suspicion of having links to the Sulu terrorists from the southern Philippines, during an operation at Kampung Bangau-Bangau here.

Semporna police chief DSP Mohd Firdaus Francis Abdullah said VAT 69 commandos and General Operations Force (GOF) personnel raided a house in the village where the suspects were said to have been hiding.

"We conducted a raid at 6am after receiving a tip-off. We will question them to find out whether they are terrorists," he said, adding that no firearms or telecommunications equipment was found in the raid.

Mohd Firdaus said police were trying to determine their nationality.

A check at the location revealed that the villagers had never seen the six men before. - Bernama

 

[BlackRiders]

Published: Tuesday March 12, 2013 MYT 4:32:00 PM
Updated: Tuesday March 12, 2013 MYT 9:10:09 PM

Lahad Datu: Soldier, three gunmen killed in Ops Daulat gunfight
By PHILIP GOLINGAI and SHAUN HO

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Body of Private Mohd Hurairah Ismail, the soldier who was killed in action in Sungai Nyamuk, Lahad Datu, this morning will be brought to his kampung in Bayu Lalang, Pasir Mas, Kelantan - Defence Minister

LAHAD DATU: A soldier and three gunmen were killed in gunfights at Sungai Nyamuk near Kampung Tanjung Batu on Tuesday.

The soldier is the first casualty for the armed forces since the operation to flush out the Sulu gunmen who landed in Kampung Tanduo on Feb 12.

Eight police officers were killed in previous skirmishes with the gunmen. Armed Forces chief Tan Sri Zulkifeli Mohd Zin said the joint military and police forces were conducting mopping and searching operation at 7.45am on Tuesday.

"They had a gun fight with five armed men who then retreated," he told a press conference about 15km from where the shootings occurred.

Jen Zulkifeli said security forces tracked down the group and engaged in another gun fight at 10.45am.

"In the exchange of fire a soldier and three terrorists were killed," he said.

In SEMPORNA, a man high on the police wanted list was among six people detained Tuesday on suspicion of having links to the Sulu terrorists from the southern Philippines, during an operation at Kampung Bangau-Bangau here.

Semporna police chief DSP Mohd Firdaus Francis Abdullah said VAT 69 commandos and General Operations Force (GOF) personnel raided a house in the village where the suspects were said to have been hiding.

"We conducted a raid at 6am after receiving a tip-off. We will question them to find out whether they are terrorists," he said, adding that no firearms or telecommunications equipment was found in the raid.

 

[BlackRiders]

Published: Tuesday March 12, 2013 MYT 6:29:00 PM
Updated: Tuesday March 12, 2013 MYT 7:02:57 PM

Lahad Datu: Govt to assist villagers affected by intrusion, says Muhyiddin
By SHAUN HO

Muhyiddin is greeted by security personnel during his visit to Felda Sahabat.

LAHAD DATU: Families affected by Ops Daulat will be given RM1,000 each in special aid by the government.

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the government would also repair houses that were destroyed or damaged during the gunfights between security forces and the gunmen.

"For those whose homes were destroyed or damaged during the operations, the government will help them repair or rebuild their homes.

"This will depend on whether they are the home owners or are squatting on the land," he told a press conference at Bandar Cenderawasih.

Muhyiddin earlier visited several displaced villagers who had been temporarily moved to the community hall there.

He added that public housing projects would be developed in the affected areas if villagers need to be relocated.

He said the Education Ministry would also assist schoolchildren from the three schools within the Red Zones to resume their education.

"We can provide book and clothing assistance. We will also discuss if we can move the classes to other schools or provide buses to fetch the children to school," he said.

The schools that are still closed are SK Lok Buani, SK Fajar Harapan and SK Tanjung Labian.

 

[BlackRiders]

Published: Tuesday March 12, 2013 MYT 8:39:00 PM
Updated: Tuesday March 12, 2013 MYT 8:43:01 PM

Lahad Datu: Soldier dies in road accident while sending supplies

By SHAUN HO

The scene at the house of Private Mohd Hurairah Ismail in in Kampung Bayu Lalang in Pasir Mas. Pic by Zaman Huri Isa

LAHAD DATU: A soldier has died after his vehicle crashed while transporting supplies to the area where security forces are battling Sulu gunmen in Ops Daulat on Tuesday.

Sabah police chief Datuk Hamza Taib said the soldier is believed to have lost control of the vehicle before it crashed. He sustained injuries and later died.

Hamza said another soldier was injured in the gunfight that killed Prebet Mohd Hurairah Ismail, 24 in Sungai Nyamuk, Lahad Datu.

The soldier is reported to be in stable condition after undergoing surgery.

Mohd Hurairah's remains will be brought to his hometown in Bayu Lalang, Pasir Mas, Kelantan early Wednesday.

 

[BlackRiders]

Published: Tuesday March 12, 2013 MYT 9:54:00 PM
Updated: Tuesday March 12, 2013 MYT 10:29:37 PM

Lahad Datu: Remarks on actions to flush out gunmen despicable, says DIGP

KUALA LUMPUR: Police have opened two investigation papers on the intrusion of Lahad Datu and Semporna by Sulu gunmen.

Deputy Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said the police would discuss with the Attorney-General's Chambers to determine the law that could be meted out against suspects arrested for either allegedly abetting or directly involved with the Sulu terrorists.

"Let us consult the Attorney-General's Chambers first on investigations into the intrusion under Section 130 of the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 and the Penal Code," he told reporters after receiving donations for the families of policemen who were killed and injured in operations to flush out the gunmen.

Eight policemen and a soldier were killed while five others injured when they were ambushed by the terrorists during Ops Daulat.

Meanwhile, Khalid said action would be taken against individuals who disseminate disparaging remarks on the police's operations that led to the death of eight policemen and injuries of five others.

"I would like to warn these individuals, that instructions had been issued to locate those who made fun of and spiteful remarks on the actions taken by the security forces. Their remarks are utterly despicable.

"So, I ask them to stop mocking and belittle the actions taken by the security forces for we are going to get them," he added.

Khalid said the police had also sought the cooperation of the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission to trace the individuals involved. - Bernama

 

[BlackRiders]

Surrender not an option, Kirams say

BY CLARA CHOOI
ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR
MARCH 12, 2013

Princess Jacel Kiram is seen next to her father, former Sultan of Sulu Jamalul Kiram III, in this file photo taken in Manila on February 26, 2013. Jacel Kiram said in an ABS-CBN News report on March 12, 2013 that the Kiram clan was still firm on its decision not to ‘surrender’ its claim over Sabah. – Reuters pic

KUALA LUMPUR, March 12 – Despite talk of “disengagement” of the Sulu army, the daughter of self-styled Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III said today that surrender is still not an option for her uncle Agbimuddin Kiram and his troops in Sabah.

Jacel Kiram said in an ABS-CBN News report here that while she hopes the latest attempt to settle the conflict amicably would result in a peaceful end to the violence, the Kiram clan was still firm on its decision not to “surrender” its claim over Sabah.

“We are firm in our stand that surrender is not acceptable,” she was quoted as saying in the online report.

Another uncle of Jacel’s, sultanate elder Bantilan Esmail Kiram II met with Philippine Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas yesterday to discuss the possibility of pulling the Kiram forces from Sabah and ending the month-long incursion.

Both Esmail and Roxas confirmed that their discussion had centred around “disengagement” of the Sultanate’s “royal army”, but would not elaborate on the matter.

Today, Roxas said he had conveyed several queries raised by Esmail to Philippine President Benigno Aquino III and the latter has directed the Department of Foreign Affair (DFA) to relay them to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

“Personally, I am positive that what has been talked about is for the interest and protection of the Filipino people,” Jacel said in the ABS-CBN News report.

The Kiram family had called for a ceasefire last Thursday upon receiving reports that more of its gunmen were falling from battles with Malaysian forces but Putrajaya rejected the appeal.

But Najib, in an immediate reaction, told the invaders to surrender unconditionally or face death.

In another news report by Interaksyon, sultanate spokesman Abraham Idjirani said that the consideration for “disengagement” had never been on the cards for the Kiram clan.

He reportedly said that it was Roxas who had unilaterally raised the option.

The report also quoted Jamalul’s wife Fatima Cecelia as agreeing with Idjirani and pointing out that the family had never thought of “disengagement” as they were aware this would be misconstrued as surrender.

Meanwhile, Interaksyon reported that according to Esmail’s son Abu Bakar in Sabah, he has been in touch with Agbimuddin and the “crown prince” had said that he is still alive, despite the deadly crackdown by Malaysian forces.

In the 7am phone conversation this morning, Agbimuddin had also reportedly said: “While you are negotiating there, we remain under fire, the fighting goes on.”

Malaysian security forces have been on a relentless search for the gunmen since the launch of Ops Daulat last Tuesday.

To date, 57 militants have been killed in gunfights.

 

[BlackRiders]

Sulu Sultan, wife and brother summoned to face NBI
UPDATED @ 06:42:45 PM 12-03-2013

BY CLARA CHOOI
ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR
MARCH 12, 2013

File photo shows self-proclaimed Sulu ‘Sultan’ Jamalul Kiram III and his wife Fatima Cecilia at a press conference. Both Jamalul and his wife have been summoned for questioning by the Philippine National Bureau of Investigation March 12, 2013. – Reuters pic

KUALA LUMPUR, March 12 – The Philippine National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) today served subpoenas on top members of the Sulu Sultanate in connection with its probe on the alleged “conspiracy” behind the incursion in Sabah.

According to Philippine media network ABS-CBN News, five members of the Sultanate were summoned for questioning – self-proclaimed Sulu “Sultan” Jamalul Kiram III, his wife Fatima Cecilia, daughter Jacel, brother Bantilan Esmail Kiram II and the Sultanate’s spokesman Abraham Idjirani.

The network’s online report said Fatima confirmed that her daughter Jacel and Idjirani were summoned to appear before NBI’s Technical Investigation Division at 10am this Thursday, while she, her husband Jamalul and Esmail would face the NBI’s Anti-Organized Crime Division at 10am the following day.

According to the report, Fatima said the family will abide by the subpoena, adding the Kiram clan was ready to reveal the truth.

The NBI first subpoenaed Council for Philippine Affairs secretary-general Pastor “Boy” Saycon, who has admitted to be an adviser to Jamalul.

But Saycon, who met with the NBI today, reportedly accusing the Malacanang Palace of spreading false rumours regarding the alleged conspiracy behind the Kiram’s incursion in Sabah.

President Benigno Aquino III, who is poised to face mid-term polls this May in the Philippines, had previously claimed of a possible “conspiracy” behind the Sulu siege, hinting that it could have been masterminded by his enemies ahead of the election.

The Kiram family has since denied the conspiracy theory, and has instead criticised the president for appearing to be siding with Malaysia in the entire crisis.

As of this morning, 57 Filipino militants have been killed in skirmishes with Malaysian security forces in Sabah’s Lahad Datu.

Jamalul’s brother, Agbimuddin Kiram, had led a group of over 200 armed men to land in Lahad Datu on February 9, hoping to lay the sultanate’s claim to the east Malaysian state, which had been gifted to the kingdom in the 17th century.