Lahad Datu News Compilation Thread

[BlackRiders]

Published: Saturday March 9, 2013 MYT 5:37:00 PM
Updated: Saturday March 9, 2013 MYT 5:53:50 PM

Lahad Datu: Hishammuddin - Ops Daulat will end only when all gunmen flushed out
By STEPHANIE LEE

KOTA KINABALU: Ops Daulat to flush out the Sulu gunmen will end only when none of the intruders are left in Sabah, Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein (pic) said Saturday.

"They have not laid down their arms unconditionally, so this will go on," he said, adding that all security officers on duty to clear bodies of the slain gunmen must place safety first in all their undertakings.

"We heard about people saying there were booby traps on the blast sites so my advice is plan your moves properly and make sure safety is the top priority on the list," he said.

He said the latest number of gunmen killed was 53, but did not rule out the possibility that there could be more.

Meanwhile, Hishammuddin said they were looking at ways to involve the community with volunteer bodies such as Rela and the Civil Defence Department and other enforcement as well as security agencies to safeguard Sabah.

"A plan will be rolled out to determine how every citizen can help in ensuring the safety of the state. We want people to be part of this inclusively," he told reporters at the Kepayan police headquarters here.

He said the Government would do all it could to ensure incidents such as the Lahad Datu and Semporna shootouts do not happen again.

"We will not let our guard down and this effort will be continued," he said, adding that plans were also being drawn up out to establish the Special Security Area for Sabah's eastcoast right to the northern Kudat, as announced by the Prime Minister.

"The action is immediate and soon, the whole plan will be realised for the five districts of Kudat, Tawau, Kunak, Sandakan and Lahad Datu," he said.

 

[BlackRiders]

Published: Saturday March 9, 2013 MYT 6:17:00 PM
Updated: Saturday March 9, 2013 MYT 7:41:16 PM

Lahad Datu: Three boats carrying 27 people intercepted off Tg Batu coast
By RUBEN SARIO and SIRA HABUBU

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LAHAD DATU: Malaysian security forces Saturday intercepted three boats carrying 27 people off the Tanjung Batu coast as the ongoing offensive against the armed Sulu group entered its fifth day at two remote villages some 160km from here.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Ismail Omar said the 27 were detained at about 2.10pm as they were approaching the Kampung Tanjung Batu coast line.

"They claimed to be fishermen but we are wondering what they were doing within the operational area," he said at a joint a media briefing with Armed Forces chief Jeneral Tan Sri Zulkifeli Mohd Zin.

He said the detained men, who were unarmed, had been sent to the Lahad Datu district police headquarters for further investigations.

Excluding the latest arrests, security forces have so far detained 79 people since the offensive against the armed Sulu group began on March 5.

Security forces keeping an eye on some of the detained fishermen at Kampung Tanjung Batu on Saturday.

On the joint offensive with the armed forces, Ismail said they had made inroads into new areas and believed the intruders were nearby.

He said they had yet to ascertain the number of deaths in the operation held over the past two days as the area has yet to be secured for the forensic team to enter.

"The forensic team should be able to carry out full investigations after the mopping up exercise is completed tomorrow (Sunday)," he said, adding that the team was now only taking photographs of the dead from a safe distance.

Meanwhile, Jen Zulkifeli said they were now focusing on a mass-scale sweep operation between Kampung Tanduo and Tanjung Batu stretching for five kilometres.

 

[BlackRiders]

Published: Saturday March 9, 2013 MYT 6:27:00 PM
Updated: Saturday March 9, 2013 MYT 9:38:09 PM

Lahad Datu: Shahrizat - Wanita Umno to 'adopt' children of policemen killed in action

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KUALA LUMPUR: Wanita Umno will adopt the children of members of the security forces who were killed in clashes with the militant intruders in Lahad Datu as its foster children.

Wanita Umno head Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil said the adoption would be carried out as soon as the incidents in the district had been resolved.

"We will adopt their children, especially those who still need to further their studies, as our foster children and provide whatever appropriate assistance," she told reporters after launching the programme 'Gagasan Aspirasi Usahawan Online' (Online Entrepreneurs Aspiration Concept) organised by the Small Office, Home Office Wanita (Sohonita), here Saturday.

Shahrizat said the movement would also assist the widows of the national heroes in whatever form to ensure they had the courage to continue with their lives after having lost the family's breadwinner.

The intrusion by the armed group on Feb 12 in the coastal area of Lahad Datu, Sabah has so far resulted in the death of eight members of the police force.

Two of them died in the clash with the militant intruders in Kampung Tanduo, Lahad Datu on March 1 while the other six were killed in an ambush in Kampung Simunul, Semporna on March 2. - Bernama

Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil (left) sharing a light moment with Datuk Rosni Zahari during the launching of the programme 'Gagasan Aspirasi Usahawan Online' (Online Entrepreneurs Aspiration Concept) on Saturday.

 

[BlackRiders]

Ops Daulat: Sabah conflict

The Sulu armed group was totally routed by Malaysian security forces' overwhelming firepower unleashed Tuesday morning in what Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak called a "defence of the country's honour and sovereignty". On Thursday, self -proclaimed Sultan of Sulu called for a ceasefire.

HISHAMMUDDIN: OP DAULAT CONTINUES

Gunmen have not surrendered so the operation continues.

Malaysian security forces conducting a roadblock along Jalan Lahad Datu-Tungku, Lahad Datu on Saturday.- M. Azhar Arif/The Star - 9 March, 2013

Malaysian troops carry out search operations in Tanduo village. - 8 March, 2013

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak being greeted by army and General Operations Forces personnel during his visit to Lahad Datu on Thursday. - 7 March, 2013

Morale is high among Malaysian security forces involved in Ops Daulat to flush out armed intruders at Felda Sahabat, Lahad Datu. - 7 March, 2013

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[BlackRiders]

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak accompanied by Defence Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishamuddin Tun Hussein Onn on his arrival at Felda Sahabat, Lahad Datu. - 7 March, 2013

A homemade gun found at a house in Kg Tanduo in Lahad Datu during mopping-up operations. - 7 March, 2013

Army personnel carrying out their mopping-up operations against armed intruders in Kg Tanduo in Lahad Datu. - 7 March, 2013

Malaysian security forces praying before beginning their operations to flush out Sulu gunmen holed up in Kg Tanduo in Lahad Datu, Sabah. - 7 March, 2013


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[BlackRiders]

Army personnel carrying out their mopping-up operations in Kg Tanduo in Lahad Datu. - 7 March, 2013

The military in their mopping-up operations to flush out Sulu gunmen in Kg Tanduo. - Bernama - 7 March, 2013

The military moving in a convoy in their mopping-up operations to flush out Sulu gunmen in Kg Tanduo. - Bernama - 7 March, 2013

The Malaysian military in an armoured vehicle moving into Felda Sahabat, Lahad Datu. - 7 March, 2013

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[BlackRiders]

Published: Saturday March 9, 2013 MYT 9:49:00 PM
Updated: Saturday March 9, 2013 MYT 11:46:28 PM

Lahad Datu: Maritime agency to erect sentry post in Felda Sahabat to curb intrusion, piracy

A MMEA vessel patrolling off Felda Sahabat in Lahad Datu

LAHAD DATU: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) will construct a sentry post in Felda Sahabat to curb illegal intrusion and piracy in the waters near the land scheme.

Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Ahmad Maslan said it was also aimed at strengthening the level of security for settlers of the Felda land scheme and local residents in line with the formation of the Sabah Special Security Area announced Thursday.

"The Felda Sahabat jetty will be used as an operation centre for the MMEA," he said at a briefing with 30 settler heads of Felda Sahabat here Saturday.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on Thursday announced the formation of the Sabah Special Security Area to protect the sovereignty and security of the state's east coast areas.

Najib said the areas covered the districts of Kudat, Tawau, Kunak, Sandakan and Lahad Datu.

Felda Sahabat encompasses an area measuring about 100,000ha and has about 6,500 settler families and 11,000 oil palm estate workers comprising mostly foreigners.

Ahmad said he had also proposed to the government that the Felda Auxiliary Police be supplied with more sophisticated weapons while the Malaysian People's Volunteer Force (Rela) be supplied with guns.

Currently, he said, the Felda Auxiliary Police was only supplied with shotguns that were only effective for a distance of about 50m while Rela was provided with batons. - Bernama

 

[BlackRiders]

Published: Friday March 8, 2013 MYT 9:44:00 PM
Updated: Friday March 8, 2013 MYT 11:33:53 PM

Lahad Datu: Agbimuddin Kiram is safe but hungry in Sabah, says kin

A pistol and other documents found in Kampung Tanduo where troops stormed the camp of the Sulu gunmen in Lahad Datu on March 7. Picture provided by Malaysia's Ministry of Defence.

MANILA: Rajah Mudah Agbimuddin Kiram remains safe in Lahad Datu although he and his men are now suffering from hunger due to constantly running around on foot to evade the Malaysian security forces, his relatives said Friday.

Abraham Idjirani, spokesperson of Sultan Jamalul Kiram III, said that according to Agbimuddin, members of the Kirams' Royal Security Forces have “regrouped” after the initial attack on them last March 1.

“They are constantly moving, not by boat, not by any means of transportation but by themselves. They are on foot. They are suffering from hunger,” Idjirani said at a press conference.

Idjirani said he was able to talk to Agbimuddin at around 2:30pm Friday.

Earlier, Jacel Kiram, daughter of the Jamalul Kiram, told the media that her uncle was safe in Lahad Datu but decried what she described as “maximum violence” unleashed by the Malaysian police and military.

“I was able to speak to one woman (in Tawi-Tawi) who kept on crying because she said children and women were being shot. While there was a call for maximum tolerance, there is indiscriminate firing (by the Malaysians). Maximum violence is what is happening,” Princess Jacel said in Filipino.

She also said that the unilateral ceasefire announced by her father still holds despite Malaysia's rejection of it.

“The instruction for them is to be always on the defensive, just be ready for any assault or attack. Just defense, no attack,” she said.

“Unfortunately, Malaysia is emboldened and decided to finish off the Filipinos in Sabah. It is clear that the government of PNoy is very much in support of the Malaysian government,” Jacel said, adding, “We pray and hope the President being Filipino would prevail so that he would address the situation in Sabah.”

The past two days also saw the sultan reiterating his message that he was willing to talk to President Aquino to resolve the conflict in Sabah.

“From the very beginning, we have been saying that our lines are open to talk directly to the President. There should be no emissaries because it has been proven that there is no effective emissary,” Jacel said.

She added that the fighting in Lahad Datu could not have happened had the emissaries of Malacanang been “efficient and effective.”

“What we need is to talk because if they really want to resolve this peacefully, our government should prove that. We want to talk if Malaysia wants to end this peacefully. We want to talk, but why don't they want to talk to us?” she said.

This appeared to be also the message of Agbimuddin.

According to Idjirani, Agbimuddin told his elder brother to ask the media's help in “influencing Malaysia to follow the call of the United Nations to take heed of sobriety and dialogue with the Sultanate of Sulu.”

Idjirani said that despite the call of UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon for and end to the violence in Sabah, there has been continuous assault by the Malaysian security forces. - Philippine Daily Inquirer

 

[BlackRiders]

Berikut adalah senarai nama pegawai dan anggota Polis Diraja Malaysia (PDRM) yang terkorban dalam insiden serangan membabitkan kumpulan bersenjata rakyat asing di Lahad Datu pada Jumaat dan Semporna, Sabtu lepas.

Lahad Datu :
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1. Sjn Sabarudin Daud, 46, dari Kem Ulu Kinta, Perak
2. ASP Zulkifli Mamat, 29, dari Kem Ulu Kinta, Perak


Semporna :
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1. Supt Ibrahim Lebar, 52, dari Cawangan Khas Bukit Aman
2. L/Kpl Mohd Azrul Tukiran, 27, dari Batalion 14 Pasukan Gerakan Am, Tawau
3. Sjn Abdul Azis Sakirun, 48, dari Batalion 14 Pasukan Gerakan Am, Tawau
4. Kpl Salam Togiran, 42, dari Cawangan Pengangkutan Ibu Pejabat Polis Daerah Tawau.
5. ASP Michael Padel, 36, Ketua Cawangan Khas Polis Daerah Semporna
6. Sjn Baharin Hamid, 49, dari Kontinjen Cawangan Khas Ibu Pejabat Polis Kontinjen, Sabah.

- Bernama

 

[BlackRiders]

Sunday March 10, 2013

Lahad Datu: MCA defends RM2,000 aid to families of slain cops

PETALING JAYA: MCA has defended its RM2,000 contribution to each of the families of the slain policemen in the standoff with Sulu gunmen in Lahad Datu and Semporna.

Saying that this showed that the party cared for them, MCA national organising secretary Datuk Tee Siew Kiong called DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang's likening of MCA's gesture to the “lives of policemen being only worth RM2,000” a ploy to “politicise the fatalities”.

“Lim confuses and politicises their deaths. There is no doubt that Lim is out to discredit the services and responsibilities of the uniformed personnel killed while protecting our nation,” he said in a statement here yesterday.

MCA's financial aid was meant to show respect for the sacrifices of the fallen heroes, added Tee.

On Wednesday, MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek had said that it would donate RM16,000 to the families of the eight security personnel killed during the Sulu attacks in the east coast of Sabah, paying tribute to their sacrifices.

Tee said “disparaging remarks” from PKR leaders Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Tian Chua regarding the Government's handling of the “terrorist incursion” were also shameful.

Their comments, he said, could only add insult to the injury for the families of the departed.

The Pulai Sebatang state assemblyman said both the Home and Defence Ministries should also be praised for their efforts in combating the Sulu gunmen.

 

[BlackRiders]

Sunday March 10, 2013

Lahad Datu: Docs monitoring injured commandos

IPOH: Doctors will decide when to remove the bullet shards still lodged in two VAT 69 commandos injured in the clash with the Sulu gunmen in Lahad Datu and Semporna.

Deputy Home Minister Datuk Lee Chee Leong said both Kpl Mohd Tarmizi Hashim, 32, and Kpl Azman Ampong, 39, were being treated at the Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital.

“Doctors are observing their progress and will decide when to remove the bullet shards still lodged in their bodies,” he told reporters after visiting the commandos at the hospital here yesterday.

It was reported that the two commandos based in Perak were brought to Ipoh on police aircraft Cessna Caravan 208 on Friday.

 

[BlackRiders]

Sunday March 10, 2013

Lahad Datu: Sarawakians come together to pray for those deployed in Ops Daulat

Patriotic spirit: Lucy’s grandson Kracckesh Sivanesan waving the Malaysian flag during the house prayer dedicated to policemen and soldiers in Ops Daulat.

KUCHING: Sarawakians of different races and religions are praying for the safety of policemen and army personnel deployed in Ops Daulat.

Some have been attending solat hajat in mosques and surau during Friday prayers while others gathered to pray at temples, churches and homes.

Kapt Lucy Lingam held a prayer session with Sai Baba devotees at her home last night in solidarity with policemen and soldiers risking their lives in Lahad Datu, Sabah.

Lucy's husband Sanmugalingam Murugesu said as it was also International Women's Day, they prayed for the well-being of women too.

“We also prayed for peace in the country,” said the retired air force personnel, adding that about 40 people took part.

Retiree and social activist Piara Singh Gill, said being patriotic meant having total loyalty to the country, community and family.

“Patriotism comes from within and we should show our love for the country.

“We should stand up when Malaysia is being attacked, regardless of our background and political affiliations. Sabah is part of us and Malaysia,” he said.

Meanwhile, family members of the the 500-strong General Operations Force (GOF) sent to Lahad Datu on March 5 were also praying for the well-being of their relatives.

Fatimah Gani said they prayed that all Malaysians would return home safely and peace would be restored in Sabah soon.

“This operation is more dangerous,” she said, adding that she prayed for the safety of her husband Sahari Idris.

Kelibai Gimong, 47, said they were only interested in following developments on Ops Daulat through the newspaper and television.

“There's been no afternoon dramas for us the last few days. Our concern is for the safety of our men and country,” she said.

She was relieved when her husband Sjn Anthony Liset contacted her yesterday afternoon.

“The phone call was brief, telling me that he is all right. That's all I need to know,” she added.

 

[BlackRiders]

Sunday March 10, 2013

Lahad Datu: Football fans pay tribute to servicemen

Showing gratitude: Fans observing a moment of silence to remember those who lost their lives in the Lahad Datu standoff during the Malaysia Super League match.

IPOH: Football fans and players observed a minute of silence during the Malaysia Super League match between Perak and Angkatan Tentera Malaysia (ATM) to remember those who lost their lives in Lahad Datu.

Fans from both sides stood up to sing the national anthem as the announcer called for a moment of silence.

With heads bowed, the spectators remembered the sacrifice of those who died and gave thanks to servicemen for defending the country before the game, held at the Lumut Naval Base Stadium yesterday, kicked off.

Hanif Aqmal Ibrahim, 20, said the moment of silence brought to mind the sacrifices of uniformed personnel and he prayed for the conflict to be resolved as soon as possible.

“It was a time for us to remember their sacrifices and show support for the families who lost their loved ones in the intrusion.

“I have a cousin serving in the Armed Forces and he was sent there recently, so I am praying for his safe return daily,” he added.

Mohd Rasyid Ismail, 20, also hoped the incident would end as soon as possible without further loss of life.

 

[BlackRiders]

Sunday March 10, 2013

Lahad Datu: Journalists ‘bombarded’ by the sounds of war 15km away
By PHILIP GOLINGAI
[email protected]

Reinforcements: More security personnel perparing to enter the ‘war zone’ to pursue the armed intruders. — Bernama

Boom ... Boom ... Boom ... Boom Boom Boom Boom Boom ... BOOM!

That's the closest ever the media, covering the joint police and military operations to “flush out” the Sulu gunmen, get to the “war zone” in Felda Sahabat.

At the media centre in Felda Residence Sabahat resort, which is about 15km from Kg Tanduo and Kg Tanjung Batu where the armed intruders are holed up, journalists can hear the 105mm Pack Howitzers thundering.

The most dramatic sound is the screeching of F18 jet fighters above the media centre. The window panes in the building would rattle when the jet fighters fly low.

The targets are the 200-plus armed intruders who landed in Kg Tanduo in Felda Sahabat last month to claim Sabah led by Raja Muda Azzimudie Kiram, the brother of self-proclaimed Sultan Jamalul Kiram III.

They are believed to have come in several boats from Tawi-Tawi, about 45 minutes from the village.

Felda Sahabat is a 284,000ha oil palm plantation with about 15,000 people, largely foreigners, working in an area four times the size of Singapore.

The Malaysian forces are pursuing the armed intruders in two coastal villages, about 5km apart, facing the Celebes sea.

The area of operations in Kg Tanduo, where they were originally holed up, is about 4sq km and Kg Tanjung Batu, where some had fled, is 3sq km.

The uneven terrain is swampy, sandy and surrounded by secondary jungle and oil palm estates.

Unless you hire an aircraft and parachute into these two villages, it is impossible to enter the battle zone. Using a boat to reach Kg Tanduo, as some media organisations have attempted, is impossible.

You can try to drive to the two coastal villages but at the junction 15km to the villages, you will be stopped by two policemen armed with assault rifles.

Don't assume these policemen are on their own. I've seen several snipers, lying on the ground or standing next to an oil palm tree, who are trained to blow your head off if you breach the no-entry zone.

The press get an idea of what is happening in the “war zone” from the twice daily briefings by Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar and Armed Forces chief Jen Tan Sri Zulkifeli Mohd Zin. And occasionally from Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein and Defence Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Since Thursday's announcement that 32 armed intruders were shot dead in gunfights in Kg Tanduo and Kg Tanjung Batu, stories from the war zone have dried up. Some in the press believe that “since the joint forces have pinned down the armed men in a 4sq km area in Kg Tanduo, that the end is near.

Yesterday morning's press conference was delayed for an hour to noon and this led to speculation that the two top guns had an important announcement. They were disappointed to find out that only one Sulu gunman was killed in a skirmish.

The two top guns have emphasised in their press conferences that the joint forces are extra careful in their sweeping and searching operations as they do not want to make a mistake that would cost the lives of their men.

My favourite question to the IGP and Jeneral is: “What is the fate of the Raja Muda?”

The standard answer is: “We still can't confirm as there are bodies which we cannot recover as the area is unsafe.”

The media also gets an idea of what's happening on the ground through photographs handed out by the Defence Ministry. The strangest to come out from the battle zone are those which showed rag tag weapons owned by the Sulu gunmen.

There are more questions than answers in Kg Tanduo and Kg Tanjung Batu as journalists are operating in the fog of war.

 

[BlackRiders]

Sunday March 10, 2013

Lahad Datu: Philippine government starts probe into ‘conspiracy’

PETALING JAYA: The Philippine Government has launched a probe into the alleged conspiracy behind the stand-off in Sabah, summoning a Sulu Sultanate adviser for questioning.

The country's National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) summoned Pastor “Boy” Saycon to appear before them on Tuesday morning, reported The Philippine Star.

Sultanate spokesman Abraham Idjirani said this was the start of a “crackdown” by the government on the sultan's followers.

It was reported that President Benigno S. Aquino III would inform Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak about “ring-leaders” in the crisis in Sabah.

A subpoena by the NBI was delivered to Saycon, who is a political strategist and secretary-general of the Council for Philippine Affairs, on Friday.

Saycon told The Philippine Star he was being summoned because of his support for Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III.

“I think the government wants to put up a conspiracy without any basis and blame people instead of solving the worsening crisis in Sabah,” Saycon was quoted in the news report.

The daily also reported that an Islamic group in the country has urged the Philippine congress to pass a resolution enabling the executive branch to pursue the claim over Sabah peacefully and legally.

Philippine Centre for Islam and Democracy president Amina Rasul also called on the Philippine Government to set up a committee under the Office of the President to look into the claim over Sabah.

Calling for a UN peacekeeping force to maintain order in Sabah, the group also urged the Malaysian Government to allow the Red Crescent to enter the area to provide medical help to victims.

In a report by GMA News Online, Idjirani said Raja Muda Azzimudie, who is Kiram's brother and leader of the armed Filipinos in Sabah, had gone without food for at least two days.

“According to him, they have not eaten for two days. They are constantly running from bombardments,” Idjirani was quoted by dzBB radio yesterday.

 

[BlackRiders]

Sunday March 10, 2013

Lahad Datu: Minister clears the air over use of AirAsia flights

SUNGAI PETANI: The Defence Ministry's decision to make use of budget carrier AirAsia was because it needed a bigger aircraft to ferry its soldiers to Sabah.

Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the Royal Malaysian Air Force's Charlie airplanes could only accommodate fewer than 200 soldiers each.

“Hence, we needed a bigger aircraft to send the troops to strengthen our security forces in Sabah during this critical moment,” he told reporters after attending a promotion ceremony for 183 personnel at Sungai Layar army camp here yesterday.

“This is a contract between the Defence Ministry and the airline years ago and such a practice is common in other countries.”

Ahmad Zahid was commenting on the debates among Netizens over the ministry's decision to send two battalions of soldiers to Sabah on AirAsia on March 3.

A Twitter post by AirAsia group chief executive officer Tan Sri Tony Fernandes that day, showing images of soldiers preparing to board the AirAsia aircraft, was shared by Netizens on Facebook.

Freelance defence journalist and analyst Dzirhan Mahadzir had also written that although the air force had 14 C-130 Hercules capable of carrying 90 soldiers each, there were some 1,400 soldiers in two battalions.

For the standoff with Sulu militants, the army had to transport between two and five battalions to Lahad Datu.

Taking to task Netizens who posted inaccurate information, Ahmad Zahid, describing them as “heartless people”, said they were deliberately trying to provoke emotions among the public.

“Most of them have no knowledge of military strategies but simply criticise the force,” he said.

Ahmad Zahid cautioned the public against speculating and questioning the way the military protected the country.

He also slammed Opposition leaders who described the Lahad Datu intrusion as a political sandiwara (drama).

“I want to remind them (the Opposition) that this is the time to set aside our differences and stay united in facing common enemies.”

Commending the media who provided first-hand information on the intrusion, he said: “The Home Minis-ter (Datuk Seri Hishammudddin Tun Hussein) and I plan to present certificates of appreciation to the journalists who worked hard to cover the incident.”

 

[BlackRiders]

Sunday March 10, 2013

Lahad Datu: Evacuee loses baby son while police question wife

Hoping for the best: Residents of Tanjung Batu reciting a prayer at the evacuation centre in Felda Sahabat.

LAHAD DATU: With his hands stretched out, Syahrin Yakub said a quiet prayer during a tahlil session for his seven-month-old son Mohamad Ridwan who died on Wednesday.

His youngest child died on the way to Kunak hospital after suffering a bout of diarrhoea and high fever.

The tahlil was held in the Cendarawasih community hall within the Felda Sahabat area where the family has been staying since the intrusion by Sulu gunmen.

Besides grieving for his son. Syahrin is worried about his wife Mariammah Mohamad who was asked by police to give a statement at the Lahad Datu police station and had been there since March 5.

“She didn't have a chance to say goodbye to our son.

“Our three children are longing for their mother and I can't understand why it takes so long for police to get a statement from her,'' said the oil palm smallholder.

Their quiet lives at the isolated village, some 160km from this east coast town, was suddenly disrupted by the appearance of gunmen on Feb 9.

Three days later, they were advised to leave their homes for their safety.

With his two-year-old 2.4ha of oil palm trees fruiting, Syahrin reluctantly took his family to his cousin's house in Kg Tanjung Labian to wait out the standoff between the Sulu gunmen and security forces.

Upon hearing of the aerial bombing of his village when the offensive against the armed group began on Tuesday, Syahrin is now worried about his house too.

“I am thankful that my family managed to get out from our kampung safely,'' he said.

When intruders suddenly appeared at Kg Tanjung Batu located just next to Kg Tanjung Labian on Sunday, Syahrin once again had to move with his family to the hall.

“I don't know what to say. I am grieving for my son, worried for my wife and I don't know what has happened to our house,'' he said.

 

[BlackRiders]

Sunday March 10, 2013

Lahad Datu: Displaced villagers fear their houses will be looted or bombed

Temporary relocation: A jeep transporting a wooden house at Kampung Tanduo.

LAHAD DATU: When electricity supply reached their homes last month, the 200-odd families at Kampung Tanjung Batu and Kampung Tanjung Labian went on a shopping spree to get electrical appliances for their homes.

They bought television sets, refrigerators, fans and even air-conditioners.

Most of them are oil palm smallholders and were just starting to enjoy these luxuries when a group of Sulu gunmen appeared in their remote coastal settlement.

Acting on the advice of security forces, the villagers hastily left their homes, leaving behind their new electricial appliances as well as vehicles, for the community halls around the Felda Sahabat area.

“At first three of them appeared. They looked haggard and hungry and asked for water and food. Then they went away,” said evacuee Soraibah Ahmad.

Her family was among the 20 families from Kampung Tanjung Labian encamped at the Cenderawasih community hall since Monday.

They are aware of the aerial bombardment of nearby Kampung Tanduo when security forces launched their offensive against the Sulu gunmen five days ago.

Soraibah said most of the families from Kampung Tanjung Batu and Tanjung Labian moved to the community halls on Sunday and returned the following day to see at least 30 Tausug-speaking intruders in their area.

“We initially thought they were soldiers because they wore uniforms but they were in slippers so we knew they were the intruders,'' Soraibah said.

The military fatigues worn by many of the intruders were dripping wet.

She said this led the villagers to suspect the gunmen had managed to slip past the tight security cordon around Kampung Tanduo where they had been holed up since Feb 9 and and went to the sea and swam right to Kampung Tanjung Batu, about 2km away.

Soraibah said the villagers did not see any weapon on the gunmen, who asked for food.

Most of the ethnic Bajau families at Tanjung Labian and Tanjung Batu are inter-related and when word got round again of even more intrusion as security forces expanded their hunt for the Sulu gunmen from Kampung Tanduo to Kampung Tanjung Batu and Kampung Labian the villagers fled their homes for the second time.

Housewife Saadah Ali, a sister-in-law of Soraibah, said they were worried that the intruders would break into their homes to loot or the security forces would bomb their villages.

“We know our police and soldiers are doing their best but we can't help being worried. We can only hope our homes and properties are safe,'' she added.

 

[BlackRiders]

Sunday March 10, 2013

Lahad Datu: Tourism industry takes a dip in Lahad Datu

PETALING JAYA: Events in Lahad Datu have had a negative impact on tourism, with hotels and tour agencies receiving cancellations from holidaymakers.

MATTA Sabah chapter chairman K.L. Tan hoped tourists would defer their holiday plans instead of cancelling their bookings.

“Several foreign countries have advised their citizens to avoid coming here (to Sabah) without taking into account that the intrusion occurred only in a remote area,'' he said.

Tan noted that businesses had been affected due to the unfounded rumours and even staff members had gone missing while on duty, leading to temporary shutdowns.

“Local tour operators play an important role in disseminating accurate information to overseas tourists and should organise trips to show that the situation is under control,“ he said.

Among the tour operators doing this is Ooi Chin Hock, who believes Sabah's attractions will overcome the negative impact of the intrusion.

“There may be people who are still too afraid to visit other places in Sabah but for many, it is business as usual,” he said.

Hoteliers are also pulling their weight to help improve the situation by assisting tourists reschedule their plans.

Sepilok Jungle Resort director Johnny Lim said hotels and other businesses were operating as usual.

“We are currently diverting tourists, who are already in Sandakan, to do tours elsewhere instead of heading to Kinabatangan,” he said.

Sandakan's Sabah Hotel sales and marketing director Anthony Kong said the first week of March was usually busy but cancellations had been pouring in since the intrusion.

 

[BlackRiders]

Sunday March 10, 2013

Lahad Datu: Gruelling life for those displaced by Sulu gunmen

Much-needed contribution: Volunteers unpacking aid sent by Kelab Putera 1Malaysia during the Lahad Datu standoff at Felda Sahabat.

LAHAD DATU: Suhana Ahma fans her two-month-old first-born with a piece of cardboard to ward off flies as he sleeps on the concrete floor.

Their home for now is the Cenderawasih community hall located in the massive Felda Sahabat land development scheme (240,000ha), about four times bigger than Singapore island.

Suhala, 24, and her husband, Mohd Yusof Atti, 29, are among 2,000 people from several villages relocated to several community halls here after Sulu gunmen came to shore.

Apart from Cenderawasih, located near the main township, the other centres are Fajar Bakti and Embara Budi, some 20km away.

As they wait out the offensive against the gunmen, the displaced families try to make the best of their disrupted lives.

At Embara Budi, Effa Shamira Pihrin was seen drying her younger brother's diapers.

The nine-year-old said she had been helping to wash and dry the now-tattered diapers for nearly a week since they were relocated to the community hall.

Daily life is still uncomfortable a single toilet is being used by more than 600 people.

As they wait for the hostilities to cease, displaced families worry about their homes and properties but are thankful to be in a safe place.

“We can only pray for the best and that the security forces complete their mission soon,'' said Taiba Majijir, 60, of Kg Tanjung Labian.