Lahad Datu News Compilation Thread

[MidnightSun]

Filipino netizens whack Zahid over press freedom

March 14, 2013

The netizens rallied to defend press freedom and questioned the Defence Minister's threat to sue Philippine news organisations.

MANILA: Filipino netizens rallied to defend press freedom in the Philippines and lashed at Malaysian Defence Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi for threatening to sue Philippine news organisations for supposedly wrong reports on Kuala Lumpur’s actions against the followers of Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III.

Malaysian state news agency Bernama quoted Zahid as saying individuals “who felt that the Philippine media reports were wrong could sue the media” for reporting about Malaysian police operations against Kiram’s “royal army.”

“I hope[the Philippine media] will exercise caution and write only the truth,” Zahid was quoted as saying, adding that inaccurate reports could undermine diplomatic ties between Manila and Kuala Lumpur.

At the same time, Zahid said Malaysia constantly monitors Philippine media reports on the likely mastermind of the intrusion of Sulu terrorists in Lahad Datu, Sabah.

“I believe the Philippine media will publish more information. I do not want to implicate any individual. Let the Philippine media say it,” he said at a news conference in Kuala Lumpur.
Filipino netizens, however, did not welcome Zahid’s remarks and criticised him for demanding “proper” coverage of the events in Sabah.

“I’m for peace but this statement from Zahid is over the top, ridiculous and pathetic. Malaysia has no free media. And seeing Malaysian authorities having a fit… like rotten spoilt kids whenever they read news articles from overseas that they do not like is hilarious,” said reader “barry p” on the GMA News Online website.

Another reader, “johnnie r,” said: “Malaysia is not used to reporting PHL style, because they have a controlled media.”

“Maybe the reports would be more accurate if the reporters were allowed to do their jobs. I don’t think any of our news outlets are afraid of these threats,” said reader “Arcane.”

“Philippine media is as free as the sun and the stars. It’s not tied to any government. I dare you to allow foreign media and UN personnel in the red zone if you’re not hiding anything.”

- Agencies

 

[MidnightSun]

Malacanang website hacked over alleged abuse of Sabah Filipinos

BY BOO SU-LYN
MARCH 14, 2013

Aquino (centre) speaks at a news conference at the Malacanang presidential palace in Manila February 26, 2013. — Reuters pic

KUALA LUMPUR, March 14 ― The Philippine president’s official website was hacked today in apparent protest against claimed human rights abuses by Malaysian authorities in their hunt for Sulu militants in Sabah, the Philippine Daily Inquirer reported.

According to the Philippine newspaper’s website, Anonymous Philippines hacked Philippine President Benigno Aquino III’s website, www.president.gov.ph, early this morning.

“We did not engage the Malaysian hackers who invaded our cyberspace since we expected you to appropriately and judiciously act on the same, but you failed us,” said Anonymous Philippines in its message on the website.

“You did nothing while our fellow brothers are being butchered by the Malaysian forces, and while our women and children become subject of human rights abuses. If you can’t act on the issue as the Philippine President, at least do something as a fellow Filipino. We are watching,” added the loose hacker group that pushes for internet freedom and free speech.

Malacañang Palace reportedly said today that no further intrusions were detected after the Philippine president’s website was hacked at around 1.30 am today.

The website was back to normal at press time.

Reports of alleged extrajudicial killings by Malaysia’s security forces hunting for Sulu invaders in Sabah have triggered Philippine concern of a brewing humanitarian emergency as Filipinos fled the state for fear of reprisals.

No evidence of the violations reported in Philippine media has been produced to date, with Putrajaya calling the claims a “fabrication”.

Yesterday, Aquino reportedly ordered government officials to stock up on food supplies and step up humanitarian support to Filipinos ― including illegal emigrants seeking better jobs ― who have started returning to the republic by the hundreds since last Friday.

The Philippine media has reported allegations of abuse and arbitrary killings during raids by the Malaysian security forces to hunt down Sulu sympathisers, since some 200 armed followers of the Sulu sultanate invaded Lahad Datu, Sabah, last month.

The Philippine Daily Inquirer reported last Tuesday that a Filipino was allegedly gunned down in Sandakan after being forced by the police to run as fast as he could.

Philippine lawmakers are now pressuring the Aquino administration to file a formal complaint with Putrajaya as allegations of abuse of Filipinos flood the country in the wake of the Sabah armed conflict, a local newspaper reported yesterday.

The Philippine senate has demanded its government to hold Malaysia accountable for possible human rights violations against the 800,000-strong Filipino migrant community in Sabah at the hands of local authorities searching for a ragtag band of Sulu militants claiming ownership of the north Borneo state.

Bantilan Esmail II, a brother of Sulu “Sultan” Jamalul Kiram III, was quoted by the Philippine Daily Inquirer last Tuesday as saying that Malaysian authorities have allegedly been ill-treating Filipinos in Sabah long before the Sulu incursion began.

A total of 66 people were reported killed in the Sulu incursion as of last Tuesday, including 56 Filipino militants, eight Malaysian policemen and one Malaysian soldier, and a teenage boy of unknown nationality.

 

[MidnightSun]

Police check cemetery in Semporna for hidden firearms

MARCH 14, 2013

SEMPORNA, March 14 – A police team today inspected a cemetery in Kampung Panji, here which is believed to be used as a store for keeping weapons by the terrorists group that attacked Kampung Simunul on March 2.

Semporna OCPD, DSP Mohd Firdaus Francis Abdullah said the inspection at 6.30am was carried out following public information received several days ago.

“The police found no weapons during the inspection. I hope the residents nearby will not panic because it was a routine inspection,” he said when contacted.

He said the inspection carried out by about 100 police personnel from the VAT 69 unit, Bukit Aman Special Action Unit, General Operations Force and assisted by a police team from the Semporna District Police Headquarters also aimed to gather evidence on the activities carried out by the terrorists for the past several weeks.

Meanwhile a resident, Jurikun Borneo, 54, said when he was opening his retail shop at 6.30am, he saw a police team inspecting the cemetery using metal detectors.

“I saw only briefly, but many police personnel were checking the burial ground,” he said. – Bernama

 

[MidnightSun]

Friday March 15, 2013

Lahad Datu: Sulu ‘princess’ bashed on Twitter

PETALING JAYA: A Twitter user claiming to be the daughter of self-proclaimed Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III has caused a stir with tweets like “please tell your government to give our land back!”.

Princess Jacel Kiram began using the handle @jacelkiram on Wednesday afternoon and already has over 2,400 followers.

User @geminianeyes replied: “Honestly though, Ms @JacelKiram, did you really expect us to welcome you with open arms when your army landed on our shores with guns?”

@jacekkiram responded: “Read history its never yours! Malaysia never owned Sabah! They are still paying rent!”

Malaysian Twitter users mocked her statements.

User @soulzoul said: “it's not rent mak cik, it is called cession money. You know your history but can't Google the meaning of cession?”

Comedian @HarithIskander asked: “Do people who are insane realise they're insane?”

Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin also got into the act: “OK. Bro @tankengliang, the invading faux princess @jacelkiram is now on Twitter. Unleash your unending tweets & end this conflict.”

Kedah Gerakan Youth chief Tan Keng Liang (@tankengliang) replied: “Let me check out this Sulu Princess' @jacelkiram ...ok. Good news. Easy meat! Hidup 1Malaysia!”

 

[MidnightSun]

Friday March 15, 2013

Lahad Datu: Both sides of political divide examining attack’s effect on polls

LAHAD DATU: Leaders from both sides of the political divide are trying to determine how the Sulu armed groups incursion will impact voters in the general election.

Sabah Barisan Nasional leaders are confident the role played by the security forces in defending the country will underline the importance of having a strong and stable government.

Opposition parties, especially those based in Sabah, however, say they do not expect a major shift.

The head of Universiti Malaysia Sarawak's Political and International Relations Department Dr Faisal Hazis said the Lahad Datu situation could work to Barisan's advantage especially in Malay marginal seats outside Sabah.

“This is due to the influence of patriotism. The ones to watch are the fence-sitters and first-time voters,” he said, adding that the situation would not affect partisan voters.

“Those who have decided to vote Barisan or Pakatan will likely not be swayed.

“Usually issues of security tend to work to the advantage of the incumbent,” Dr Faisal who is from the Social Sciences Faculty said.

However, if the operations against the Sulu gunmen is prolonged or there are more incidents, it could have a negative effect on Barisan.

Sabah Barisan secretary Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan said the Government responded correctly to the threat by the intruders.

“There was a security situation and we had to deal with it decisively,” he said, adding it was difficult to assess how it would turn out politically.

Sabah Progressive Party president Datuk Yong Teck Lee said people were still following developments in Ops Daulat.

“Some are angry as to how such an incursion could happen,” he added.

 

[MidnightSun]

Friday March 15, 2013

Lahad Datu: Don’t insult cops, teachers told

PETALING JAYA: School teachers have been warned against posting statements on social media insulting members of the security forces involved in Ops Daulat.

In a statement, Education Ministry director-general Tan Sri Abd Ghafar Mahmud said the ministry would not hesitate to take action against a teacher from Pasir Puteh, Kelantan, who allegedly posted a statement on Facebook ridiculing the effort of the police in Lahad Datu.

“Teachers are supposed to carry out their responsibilities at work and serve as role models for patriotism for their students,” said Abd Ghafar.

The Facebook posting by the teacher a few days ago had received strong backlash from bloggers and other Facebook users.

Abd Ghafar said the statement hurt the feelings of many parties, especially family members of the security forces who had fallen in Ops Daulat and others in the teaching profession who had always shown strong support for the Royal Malaysian Police and the Army.

 

[MidnightSun]

Friday March 15, 2013

Lahad Datu: Sabah MMEA now under Mindef

I did it: A foreign tourist expressing his delight after completing a training session for diving at Pulau Mabul near here yesterday. The diving haven continues to attract local and foreign tourists through its beautiful corals and clean beaches. Tourist arrivals experienced a slight drop after a shootout at Kampung Simunul here on March 2, but improved this week following visitors’ belief in the level of security provided by the Malaysian armed forces. —Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR: Sabah's Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) has been placed under the command of the Defence Ministry to address the security issues relating to the state's porous border.

Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zahid Hamidi said the handover was made official on March 8 following an appointment letter from the Prime Minister's Office, signed by Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

He said this was a much needed move in light of the Lahad Datu intrusions, adding that the size of Sabah's open coasts made it vulnerable to such threats.

“This move will only be for the Sabah MMEA and is needed to coordinate operations with the navy in protecting Sabah's border. I accept this responsibility given by the Prime Minister's Office in defending the sovereignty of the state,” Dr Zahid Hamidi told reporters during a press conference in Wisma Pertahanan here yesterday.

On the latest developments in Lahad Datu, Dr Zahid Hamidi called it a “long haul” problem.

“We are facing a matter of intrusions that are happening over 1,400km along the east coast of Sabah. We may need to add assets, not only for the land-based armed force but also for the coast guards,” he said.

In line with the setting up of the Special Security Area (ESSCOM), Dr Zahid Hamidi said the necessary assets would be procured for the MMEA and the navy to secure the coast.

However, he did not specify these assets.

“When it comes to that adding assets and other equipment we will have to discuss it with the Deputy Prime Minister and MMEA director-general Admiral Datuk Mohd Amdan Kurish first,” said Dr Zahid Hamidi.

Earlier, he received a courtesy call from Singapore Armed Forces defence chief Lieutenant General Neo Kian Hong.

Neo, said Dr Zahid Hamidi, was a respectable figure in military diplomacy across the Causeway, adding that he hoped that good relations between Singapore and Malaysia would continue.

In Kota Kinabalu, Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said top civil servants, including Chief Secretary to the Government Datuk Seri Ali Hamsa, would be in Sabah to further finalise details of ESSCOM.

He said Ali would be accompanied by senior Treasury officials as well as Implementation and Coordination Unit (ICU) counterparts.

“They will be here to hear the needs of those operating from the ground,” said Hishammuddin while on a visit to the east coast Sandakan district.

He said his visit had enabled him to hear directly from police officers of the VAT69 commando unit, General Operations Force and Marine Force units.

 

[MidnightSun]

Friday March 15, 2013

Lahad Datu: Whereabouts of Sulu terrorist group leader Azzimudie unclear

Staying vigilant: Security forces guarding the entrace to Tanjung Labian where army trucks enter or leave.">

Staying vigilant: Security forces guarding the entrace to Tanjung Labian where army trucks enter or leave.

LAHAD DATU: Has the Sulu terrorist group's armed leader Rajah Muda Azzimudie Kiram and 34 of his followers escaped to Tawi Tawi or is he still trapped within the Ops Daulat operations area in Tg Labian?

The Philippines naval authorities have confirmed that 35 gunmen, including one wounded and one woman, have been taken into custody after they entered Philippines waters in two boats on Wednesday.

Tawi Tawi Governor Sadikul Sahari said yesterday that the 35 were from the area of fighting but could not confirm if Azzimudie was among them.

“I have not been informed of this by the navy,” he told The Star via telephone from Bongao, about less then half-an-hour speed boat ride from the ongoing police and military offensive to flush out remnants of the terrorist group at Kg Tanjung Batu, Kg Tanjung Labian and Kg Sungai Bilis.

He said the Philippines Depart-ment of Justice was handling the case of the returnees.

At the evening media briefing at Felda Residence Sahabat resort, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar said they were working with the Philippines government to verify the report.

Asked if he believed that Azzimudie was still within the area of operations, Ismail said: “We are verifying all information we get.”

Abraham Irdjani, a spokesman for the family of the self-proclaimed Sulu Sultan, insisted that Azzimudie was alive in Sabah together with his general Haji Musa Abdulla, who the police here confirmed was dead.

“Azzimudie is still in the area of operations. Haji Musa is with him,” Irdjani told The Star when asked for the whereabouts of the leader.

On the ground yesterday, more mortar attacks were launched within the Ops Daulat area as the security forces continued their mopping-up operations within a 7km radius.

Ismail said that security forces believed that there were still remnants of the gunmen in the area.

He also said the security forces were trying to establish the identities of the corpses recovered.

“We are taking thumb prints and DNAs. It takes time to identify the bodies. Many do not have documents and some of the documents were foreign identity papers,” he said.

He said police detained a man in his 30s at a roadblock at about 10.45am in Tanjung Labian as he was found carrying two samurai swords and three machetes packed in a parcel.

Armed Forces Chief General Tan Sri Zulkifeli Mohd Zin told the media briefing that yesterday's mortar fire was aimed at an area in Sungai Nyamuk to ensure that none of the gunmen escaped.

“We believe they have broken into smaller groups and are able to move faster as they know the area very well,” he said.

 

[MidnightSun]

Published: Friday March 15, 2013 MYT 1:26:00 PM
Updated: Friday March 15, 2013 MYT 2:34:40 PM

Lahad Datu: Philippines, Malaysia to work closely to flush out gunmen

By EDMUND NGO

Armed Forces chief Jen Tan Sri Zulkifeli Mohd Zin wishing Kpl Khairul Anuar Mat Isa well during his visit to Lahad Datu hospital on Wednesday. Starpix by SHAUN HO

TAIPING: The Philippines government and Malaysia have agreed to work closely to flush out remnants of militant intruders in Lahad Datu and other areas in Sabah.

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said this was expressed by the Philippines secretary of national defence Voltaire Gazmin when he visited Putrajaya on Thursday.

"He has promised to conduct a full investigation and take the intruders to the Phillipines court for action," Ahmad Zahid said in a press conference after visiting the Taiping armed forces here on Friday.

"Philippines will also use their intelligence network to find out who is the mastermind behind the intrusion," he added.

Ahmad Zahid said the Philippines government would also take legal action against the self-proclaimed Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III.

"They are in the midst of collecting further evidence.

"Our Attorney-General is also looking at options on whether Jamalul could be tried in Malaysian courts," he added.

 

[MidnightSun]

Published: Friday March 15, 2013 MYT 1:30:00 PM
Updated: Friday March 15, 2013 MYT 8:14:45 PM

Lahad Datu: Dr Mahathir questions hidden hands behind Sulu intrusions

BY NICHOLAS CHENG

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KUALA LUMPUR: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad raised questions over hidden hands at play behind the Lahad Datu intrusions.

Though he did not surmise any links between the Sulu sultanate and any Malaysian political parties, Dr Mahathir said the self-styled Sultan must have had financiers.

"All operations cost money. I don't think the Sultan is a rich man. According to the Philippines government, he is very poor.

"So where is the money coming from?" Mahathir asked during a Perdana Global Peace Foundation cheque presentation ceremony at Yayasan Al-Bukhary Friday.

The RM80,000 cheque will go the families of the fallen heroes killed in the Lahad Datu clashes.

 

[MidnightSun]

Published: Friday March 15, 2013 MYT 7:14:00 PM
Updated: Friday March 15, 2013 MYT 7:20:42 PM

Lahad Datu: Eight Filipinos held for entering Ops Daulat operation area

By SHAUN HO

LAHAD DATU: Police detained eight Filipino men in a speedboat as they tried to enter the Ops Daulat operation area at midnight on Thursday.

Sabah police commissioner Datuk Hamza Taib (pix) said the men, aged between 17 to 29 years, were detained in the Sungai Bilis area at 12.15am.

"When the boat was searched, we found they were carrying 300 empty jerrycans and 369,000 pesos (RM28,000).

"No weapons were found with them," said Comm Hamza, adding the men were already being probed for their motive of entering the area.

He also said the men would be investigated under immigration laws as they did not have identification papers on them.

The men could also be investigated under the Security Ordinance and Special Measures Act 2012 if there was any indication they are linked to the Sulu gunmen.

 

[MidnightSun]

Published: Friday March 15, 2013 MYT 8:01:00 PM
Updated: Friday March 15, 2013 MYT 8:04:43 PM

Lahad Datu: Two suspects detained for alleged collaboration with Sulu gunmen

Police conducting thorough checks in Semporna to ensure security.

SEMPORNA: Two men, believed to have collaborated the intrusion of Sulu terrorists into Sabah, were detained by Bukit Aman police in Semporna, on Thursday

Semporna police chief DSP Mohd Firdaus Francis Abdullah said during the 8pm raid, the two suspects, both in their 40s, were detained after receiving information from members of the public.

"The two are believed to have collaborated with the terrorists and we have taken them in for questioning," he said when contacted, here, on Friday.

He said police were investigating whether the two suspects had links with the ambush on security forces in Kampung Simunul, on March 2.

Asked about claims from the locals that many illegal immigrants were leaving Semporna, Mohd Firdaus said police would carry out investigations to ensure no terrorist escape from Semporna. - Bernama

 

[MidnightSun]

Agbimuddin escaped before bombardment?
Thomas Pi | March 15, 2013

Villagers claim that militant leader Agbimuddin Kiram, the ex-Kudat Assistant District Officer, is always guarded by four men including a mystic.

LAHAD DATU: Agbimuddin Kiram, the elderly leader of of the armed group of Filipinos who invaded Sabah last month, is thought to have escaped the dragnet for him and the remaining members of his band and is within the prohibited ‘Red Zone’ area around Tanjung Labian.

Malaysian security forces also believe that the 72-year-old could be hiding in the area of the mopping-up operation known as Ops Daulat which entered its 10th day yesterday. Heavy bombardment on kg Tanduo began on March 5.

“We are confident he is still here because, we believe as (their) leader, he won’t run away. He won’t leave his followers or leave them alone. He must lead them,” Sabah Police Commissioner Hamza Taib said during a media briefing.

Abraham Idjirani, the spokesman of self-proclaimed Sultan Jamalul Kiram III in Manila has also claimed he spoke to Agbimuddin for “20 seconds” on Tuesday night but gave no hint of where he might be.

“He only spoke to me briefly because of security reasons. He is afraid that his phone call is tracked,” Idjirani said in a phone conversation in Manila.

Villagers claim that Agbimuddin, a former Kudat Assistant District Officer known locally as Datu Puing, is always guarded by four men including a mystic called Datu Titing.

They claim that they were last seen near Kg Sungai Bilis where the Bajau sea-gypsies dock their ‘pelahus’. A couple of these boats were seen heading out to sea after the assault on Kampong Tanduo began.

Agbimuddin and his group of about 200 are believed to have split up prior to the Tanduo bombardment and slipped into neighbouring Kg Tanjung Batu, Kg Tanjung Labian and Kg Sungai Bilis area where security forces are focusing their mopping up operations.

Police are still verifying the identities of many who have been displaced by the ongoing security operation especially those from Kg Tanduo.

“It has to be ascertained if the land they had occupied is private or if it belongs to the government. If they have no rights on that land, we may not allow them to return,” Hamza said, adding that the police were still trying to verify of the identity of the boy who was shot dead near Sungei Bilis on Monday.

The Philippines media, meanwhile, reported that the navy had seized firearms and ammunitions from two boats with 35 people including a woman that was preparing to sail to Sabah.

Navy spokesperson Lt-Commander Gregory Fabic was quoted as saying that at least one of the boats was heading towards Sabah.

 

[MidnightSun]

Eerie silence over frontline villages
Thomas Pi | March 15, 2013

It will be a while yet before villagers in Kampung Tanduo, which was under seige weeks ago, can return to their homes.

LAHAD DATU: The only sign of life at Kg Tanjung Labian in Felda Sahabat 17 was a couple of cows and a goat grazing. The village itself bore all then signs of having been hurriedly vacated.

Gone too are the protest banners fluttering between trees protesting land grabs.

Clothes hanging in the stoops of some houses swayed in the wind. Doors and windows stood open and gave an eeriness to the place. Just over a week ago, this now ghostly village had been a hive of activity.

The spectre of violence turned this quiet spot, nestling among a forest of rows upon rows of oil palms, on the east coast of the state forced some 2,500 villagers from here and neighbouring Kampung Tg Batu and Kampung Sungai Bilis to flee their homes last week.

The hunt for Agbimuddin Kiram, the younger brother of Jamalul Kiram III, a Southern Philippines warlord who styled himself as the Sultan of Sulu, and the remnants of the band of men he led on a bizarre invasion of Sabah by sailing to a remote area on the Dent Peninsular and taking over a small village there called Kg Tanduo is well into its second week now.

Kg Tanjung Labian is less than 3km from the area along the coast where Malaysian security forces are conducting Ops Daulat – a mopping up operation in the area for the remnants of the invading force.

It’s well inside the ‘Red Zone’, a designated no-go area whose boundaries are vague. However that’s not stopped journalists making their way into the area.

The police checkpoint at the main Felda-Tanjung Labian junction about 10kms from Tanjung Labian was no longer manned on Tuesday evening.

But the prize, Kg Tanduo, remains heavily guarded. General Operations Force (GOF) personnel, with their carbines at the ready, rush out at the first sign of any approaching vehicle.

Our attempt to get to some high ground overlooking the village by driving along muddy tracks brought us to a point 2kms short of our destination.

At the security checkpoint there, an ambulance and a backhoe were parked near the GOF tent. An officer pointed to a no entry sign and ordered us to leave.

It’s also a sign that the 2,500 or so villagers now living behind fences in three community halls hoping to return may have to wait a bit longer.

 

[MidnightSun]

In search of the Sulu ‘general’
Thomas Pi | March 15, 2013

According to locals, Sulu ‘general’ Musa, a military tactician, had many relatives in Kampung Tanduo, Kampung Tanjung Batu and Kampung Sungai Bilis.

LAHAD DATU: Who is Haji Musa? Is he dead or alive? Earlier this week Malaysian security forces here claimed that they have forensic evidence that the body of one of the armed men killed in a shootout here was “General” Musa.

Reputed to be a military expert and with the rank of “general” or “commander” in the armed group, Musa’s death would be a feather in the cap of the Malaysian security forces who are now hunting the remnants of the armed group led by Agbimuddin Kiram and their sympathisers.

They say they recovered his body from Kampung Tanjung Batu, a village in the vicinity of Kampung Tanduo that was initially taken over by the group.

But Malaysian security forces have also stated that some of gunmen may have merged with the civilian evacuees last week before the March 5 bombing and assault of Kampung Tanduo and escaped detection.

His comrades-in-arms in the Philippines have pointed to this and say claims of his death are nonsense.

Abraham Idjirani, the spokesman of the self-styled Sultan Jamalul Kiram III, in a telephone interview, said: “I talked with Raja Muda Agbimuddin Kiram for 20 seconds on Monday night and he told me Musa did not die in a gunfight.”

Musa is an enigmatic figure. According to those whom you listen to, he was recruited as part of a covert military operation codenamed “Ops Merdeka” to seize Sabah in the late 1960s hatched by then Philippines president Ferdinand Marcos .

However, after the operation was exposed, he escaped the mass execution, now known as the Jabidah massacre, that followed and that reportedly sparked the armed Moro rebellion in Mindanao.

Relatives in siege areas

The story goes that Musa, who is from Sibutu island not far from Lahad Datu, managed to escape Corregidor Island where he was being trained with other recruits just before the massacre.

“Haji Musa is about 69 or 70 years old. He was one of those who escaped the Jabidah massacre,” said Idjirani.

“After the massacre and action had been taken against those involved in the massacre by the Philippine government, Haji Musa rejoined the Philippine army and he was assigned to the Mindanao conflict [in southern Philippines],” he said.

“Ten years later he was assigned to the Presidential Security Guard [lead agency tasked with providing security to the president of the Philippines]. He was never with the Moro National Liberation Front [MNLF],” he added.

Villagers close to Musa’s relatives living in Kampung Sungei Bilis claim otherwise, saying that he was an MNLF commander and had served in Vietnam while with the Philippine military and was a military tactician.

They said most of the people staying in Kampung Tanduo, Kampung Tanjung Batu and Kampung Sungei Bilis are related to Musa whose daughter is married to a son of a former village head who has been in the forefront against oil palm plantations allegedly taking away village land.

According to the news portal Rappler.com, Musa was a known military strategist of the Sulu gunmen in Sabah.

“Musa is the deputy chief of staff of the royal Sulu force, a rank below Raja Muda,” it wrote.

“While the Raja Mudah, an heir of the Sultan of Sulu, is the known leader of the armed Filipinos, it was really Musa who mapped out the plan behind the Sabah stand-off.

“It was Musa who taught us military rules,” Ibnohasim Akmad, a royal Sulu force member, told the website in Simunul.

“He just taught us certain formations; then we were briefed about rules and regulations about the military: how to do it as a military [force], how to follow military laws,” Akmad said.

 

[MidnightSun]

‘Where did the Sultan get money from?’

Anisah Shukry | March 15, 2013

The former premier says that 'some people' would think an invasion would be beneficial to them.

PETALING JAYA: How did a poor man like the Sultan of Sulu amass enough money to mount an armed incursion into a foreign country?

Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad posed this question today when asked to respond to claims of a third party’s possible involvement in the Royal Sulu Army’s attacks on Sabah.

“The question is this: all operations cost money. If you are completely bankrupt I don’t think you can mount an invasion. So where does the money come from?” he asked.

Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak had previously said in an interview that Philippine President Benigno Aquino had informed him that the people behind the Lahad Datu attacks were quite poor.

“They certainly don’t have the means to launch such an operation against Malaysia and, therefore, he thinks they are funded from somewhere,” Najib had said on the “Conversation with the PM” programme aired on TV3.

Mahathir suggested today that “some people” would think an invasion would somehow benefit them, although he stopped short of naming them.

“This is a question I personally want to ask and I think the police want to know where the money has come from,” he added.

The Philippine media as well as international news agency Reuters had linked the army’s incursion to a politician allied to the Malaysian opposition. Citing the international media as sources, Barisan Nasional-owned media such as TV3 and Utusan had reported that Anwar Ibrahim was behind the armed attacks.

The opposition leader denied the claims and sued both media for defamation. However, Anwar reportedly refused to sue either the Philippine Daily Inquirer or Reuters on the grounds that they had not named him in their reports.

Meanwhile, Najib had ordered an investigation into the allegations, although he said sufficient evidence was needed “before we point a finger at anyone”. Yesterday, PKR vice-president Tian Chua was charged with sedition for allegedly accusing Umno of being behind the Lahad Datu incursion.

‘Defensive war not a crime’

Meanwhile, Mahathir also insisted that Malaysia’s attacks against the Sulu army was not a crime, amidst international criticism that the country committed “crimes against humanity”.

“The Perdana Global Peace Foundation is about making war a crime. But of course a defensive war cannot be regarded as a crime,” said Mahathir, referring to the organisation he was representing today.

“We are not invading anybody, we are defending our country and even if there are loss of lives on both sides… we have to accept it because we have a legitimate right to defend our country,” he added.

He said he also supported the idea of a Royal Commission of Inquiry into the invasion.

Mahathir, who is Perdana Global Peace Foundation (PGPF) president, presented a cheque of RM80,000 to the police’s welfare department at Yayasan Al-Bukhary.

 

[MidnightSun]

Ex-cop: Lahad Datu cops’ pleas ignored

Anisah Shukry | March 15, 2013

A former Lahad Datu police chief says that years of government indifference towards the dire state of security forces in the district paved the way for an armed incursion into Sabah.

PETALING JAYA: Insufficient police personnel, lack of equipment, police vehicles in bad shape — those were the security issues plaguing Lahad Datu for years, said a former Lahad Datu police chief.

Yet, the federal government continued to ignore Lahad Datu police’s requests to upgrade security, said Kamis Daming, and this was why the Royal Sulu Army was able to breach Sabah with ease on Feb 9.

“When I was in Lahad Datu five years ago, I often expressed concerns to our superiors about the possibility of intrusion by foreign elements, but our proposals and requests for security beef-up were looked at very lightly,” Kamis was quoted as saying by the Daily Express.

He told reporters in Kota Kinabalu yesterday that the Lahad Datu district police had scarce equipment and police vehicles such as their four-wheel drives and patrol boats were in terrible shape and constantly broke down.

Meanwhile, the force faced fuel shortages because their supplier allegedly refused to supply them fuel due to unsettled debts, he added. And despite the district being short of police personnel, he said there were not enough living quarters in the police compound for the force to reside in.

“Another sad thing is that some of the police officers and personnel have to rent a house outside the police compound because there are not enough quarters,” he was quoted as saying.

But even houses for rent were scarce, forcing low-rank personnel to stay in dilapidated police barracks riddled with holes, he said.

“And when we filed an application for funds to repair the barracks, headquarters would reply that no allocations were available yet. “Living under such an environment is so demoralising for the low-rank personnel, so what can be expected from them?” he asked.

Kamis also reportedly supported Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) President Yong Teck Lee’s claim that Sabahans had alerted authorities for decades on the threat illegal immigrants in Sabah posed, yet the government remained indifferent about it.

On Feb 9, some 200 armed men from the Royal Sulu Army entered Sabah to take the state by force as they believed they had an ancestral claim on the land.

Weeks of peaceful negotiations with Malaysian authorities culminated in a shootout in Lahad Datu on March 1 that saw two local policemen and 12 or the armed intruders killed.

The following day, six more Malaysians were killed in an ambush by the Sulu army on Saturday in Semporna. On Tuesday, another local soldier died in a gun battle, while another died in a vehicle accident.

 

[MidnightSun]

Govt mulling RCI on Lahad Datu
March 15, 2013

Home Minister Hishmmuddin Hussein also wants to know who's funding the terrorists.

SANDAKAN: The government has not dismissed the possibility of setting up a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) or opening a White Paper to investigate claims that third parties were behind the terrorist intrusion in Lahad Datu, Sabah, said Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein.

He said a thorough investigation needed to be done to find out the real motive for the intrusion including if there were any parties which underwrote the terrorists from the southern Philippines to undermine the country’s stability and sovereignty.

“This can be done either by an RCI or opening a White Paper. I myself want to know who are the masterminds and who are funding the terrorists and did the planning because all these concern national security,” he said.

Hishammuddin said this at a press conference at Sandakan police headquarters here yesterday after receiving a briefing on the latest public order situation in Sandakan, the second largest town in Sabah, from Sandakan police chief ACP Rowell Marong.

Meanwhile, he said, overall, the security situation in Sabah including in Tawau, Semporna and Sandakan had improved.

On the Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom), he said a group led by Chief Secretary to the Government, Ali Hamsa, would be in Sabah tomorrow to identify the additional requirements for its establishment.

He said enforcement in waters off Sabah’s east coast would also be stepped up to prevent illegal entry including via rat trails by Philippine nationals.

Defence Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi today announced that the ministry would take over responsibility for security along Sabah’s east coast covering 1,400km, from the Prime Minister’s Department.

On the arrest by a Philippines Navy patrol unit yesterday of 35 Filipinos suspected to have ties with the Sulu terrorists, Hishammuddin said Wisma Putra would be discussing with Manila on the matter.

The Philippine media reported that the suspects were intercepted in two boats carrying weapons and explosives in waters off Tawi-Tawi at 6.30am yesterday.

Meanwhile, Two Agusta Westland AW109 multi-purpose army helicopters have been brought to the Felda Sahabat 16 plantation near here as part of the move to beef up the military assets used in the “Ops Daulat” offensive against Sulu terrorists.

The twin-engine eight-seat reconnaissance and transport aircraft will add to the might of the security forces in flushing out the terrorists who had intruded into Sabah on Feb 12.

The arrival of the helicopters follows the announcement by Chief of Defence Forces General Zulkifeli Mohd Zin yesterday that military assets and personnel would be beefed up for the “Ops Daulat” operation, particularly in Kampung Tanjung Batu and Sungai Nyamuk.

Zulkifeli had said that this measure was aimed at shutting off the enemy’s route of intrusion into the country, both via land and sea.

Besides the helicopters, 12 Adnan armoured combat vehicles and fighter aircraft of the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) are also expected to arrive in stages.

Since March 1, security forces have killed 56 Sulu terrorists while eight policemen and two soldiers paid with their lives in the process.

- Bernama

 

[MidnightSun]

Eight foreigners held trying to enter Sungai Bilis, Sabah

MARCH 15, 2013

LAHAD DATU, March 15 — Eight foreign men were arrested late last night as they attempted to enter Sungai Bilis here in a speedboat that came from the Philippines, Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Hamza Taib said today.

The men, aged 17 to 29, were found with 369,000 pesos (about RM28,000) and empty barrels, he said.

“We are investigating them for entering a prohibited zone. They are being held under the Immigration Act for having no personal documents on them.

“If necessary, we will detain under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012,” he told a news conference, attended also by Army First Division commander Maj-Gen Datuk Ahmad Zaki Mokhtar, at the Ops Daulat operations command in the Felda Sahabat 16 plantation near here.

Hamza (picture) said that as of 5pm today, 97 individuals had been detained under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 and 233 had been held for entering the prohibited zone of Ops Daulat.

The security forces have also shot dead 61 Sulu terrorists and removed 27 bodies from the prohibited red zone.

Hamza said the Ops Daulat, which entered its 11th day today, was focused in Tanjung Batu. A mopping-up operation had been completed in Kampung Tanduo and Sungai Nyamuk.

“We believe the terrorists are now moving about in small groups,” he said.

Meanwhile, Ahmad Zaki said that in the last 48 hours up to 5pm today there had been no clashes between the security forces and the terrorists. — Bernama

 

[MidnightSun]

Malaysia asks Philippines to claim bodies of Sulu militants
MARCH 15, 2013

Handout photo shows President Benigno Aquino during a news conference at the Malacanang presidential palace in Manila. — Reuters pic

LAHAD DATU, March 15 — Malaysia has written to the Philippines officially asking that the country claim the bodies of its citizens killed in the “Ops Daulat” offensive against Sulu militants who had intruded into Sabah on February 12.

Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Hamza Taib said the letter was sent after the post mortem of the bodies was completed.

The Philippines has three days, as per the Geneva Convention, to respond, he said.

“If there is no response in three days, we will go ahead and bury the dead,” he told a news conference, at which Army First Division commander Maj-Gen Datuk Ahmad Zaki was also present, at the Ops Daulat command in the Felda Sahabat 16 plantation near here.

Hamza said 61 militants had been killed up to the 11th day today of the government offensive.

As of 5pm today, 27 of the bodies had been removed from the operations zone.

“We believe 10 more bodies have yet to be brought out of Kampung Tanjung Batu,” he said, confirming that the security forces found three gravesites and 15 bodies in Kampung Tanduo. — Bernama