Wednesday, 06 March 2013 00:36
Anwar
praises M'sian forces, warns Najib longer-lasting solution needed for Sabah
Written by Wong Choon Mei, Alaa
Soleiman, Malaysia Chronicle
Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim praised
the efforts of the Malaysian security forces, which had launched an intensive
attack against armed intruders claiming to be members of the Royal Sulu Army,
but warned that Prime Minister Najib Razak should heed the call to hold a
Parliamentary roundtable so as to get to the heart of the problems in Sabah
state."I would say the Armed Forces have performed well," Anwar told a press conference on Tuesday.
"I was pleased they came in and this proved our point that this can be done in a swift manner. I have confidence in our defense forces and we were priivileged in getting the briefing of senior ex-military generals who explained the circumstances and the possibility of handling this in a speedy manner because any protracted delay would cause worry and concern. And as to whether there should be negotiations, we must make a difference. We are not against the Sulus, we are against any kind of militant insurgents and in dealing with militant groups, the government must always be ready and tough."
Buck up
The 64-year-old Anwar and his Pakatan Rakyat coalition had just a day ago
urged the embattled Najib to buck up, saying they would support the efforts of
the Malaysian armed forces to move in and dislodge the foreign intruders who
had seized control of parts of a coastal village in Lahad Datu, Sabah.Mincing no words, Anwar had added to the public pressure on Najib to take action as the death toll climbed and panic spread that the hostilities and violence would be prolonged.
"It is time that the PM realizes that his priority is to defend Malaysia, its people and the warriors on the front line."
"The Sabah intrusion is now into its fourth week (Day 23) and the leadership of Dato Seri Najib Razak, the Home Minister and the Defense Minister appear not to have a clear plan to overcome the violation of our sovereign territory. Instead, the prime minister is irresponsibly trying to avert the eyes of the people from his weak leadership."
Cautious victory
Whether or not Najib was emboldened by
the Opposition's call, he finally gave the green light for a major strike
against the ragtag group of some 200 Sulu men.At 7am, a joint offensive was launched by the Malaysian police and armed forces. They spared no firepower, even sending jet fighters to bomb the area.
Inspector General of Police Ismail Omar has since declared a cautious victory, announcing that Malaysian forces had seized control of the area although they had not flushed out all the intruders. He also made it clear that the situation did not warrant a military handover and that there was no curfew imposed.
Ismail however conceded that the cordoned-off area in Kampung Tandou, where Sulu intruders first landed on February 12, remained impenetrable.
Security personnel have also been dispatched to secure other surrounding villages. According to Ismail, apart from Kampung Tandou, Kunak is another area where intruders are believed to be still hiding.
"The remaining districts in Sabah are safe and there is no need to fear. We are in control," Ismail told a press conference.
“I believe the enemies are still out there. We are still at the mopping and search stage. This is being done at a large area, about four square kilometres,” he added.
Hesitated too long
The group of armed Sulus had managed
to slip past Malaysia's security surveillance, landing in simple boats more
than three weeks ago.They defied a February 22 deadline given by the Malaysian authorities to leave, vowing to take back the land they had holed up in for the Sulu Sultan.
The 59-year-old Najib, who is due to call for the country's 13th general elections, was criticized for hesitating a tad too long and for ignoring the advice of military strategists.
"The feedback from the security forces personnel when I was there (in Lahad Datu days before the eruption of violence) was that they were able to handle the matter but the political will from above was weak," Kit Siang said.
Will Najib learn his lesson and agree to a roundtable
All eyes are now on whether Najib will
heed the call to hold a special sitting in Parliament to brainstorm for the
best solution for Sabahans.It is clear that while the Malaysian forces have solved a major part of the intrusions problem at Lahad Datu with Tuesday's offensive, revenge killings and sporadic flareups are on the cards if there are no follow-up and longer term solutions.
There are at least 500,000 Sabahans of Filipino descent and many are unhappy at the way Najib had allowed the problem to boil over. A botched raid on Kampong Tanduo on March 1 had led to violent skirmishes, culminating in the deaths of 8 policemen and at least 14 gunmen.
Najib is due to hold a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday and there are hopes that he will learn his lesson and accept greater consensus in his policy-making.
"There must be greater consensus. We are talking about national security. This cannot be compromised or politicized," Anwar told Malaysia Chronicle on the sidelines of the press conference.
Malaysia Chronicle
Tuesday, 05 March 2013 08:37
Malaysia
declares cautious victory, while gunmen say won't give up despite
"OVERKILL"
Written
by Wong Choon Mei, Malaysia Chronicle
Inspector
General of Police Ismail Omar has declared a cautious victory, announcing that
Malaysian forces had seized control of the Lahad Datu area that had been
invaded by armed intruders claiming to be members of the Royal Sulu Army.
Although not all the intruders have
been flushed out, Ismail made it clear that the situation did not warrant a
military handover and that there was no curfew imposed. However, he conceded
that the cordoned-off area in Kampung Tandou, where Sulu intruders had first
landed on February 12, remained impenetrable.
Security personnel have also been
dispatched to secure other surrounding villages. Ismail also said apart from
Kampung Tandou, Kunak is another area where intruders are believed to be still
hiding.
"The remaining districts in
Sabah are safe and there is no need to fear. We are in control," Ismail
told a press conference.
“I believe the enemies are still out
there. We are still at the mopping and search stage. This is being done at a
large area, about four square kilometres,” he added.
Overkill, Moro fighters
to help Sulu gunmen
Meanwhile,
the Philippine Inquirer reported that the gunmen, who claim to be
members of the Royal Sulu Army, have refused to surrender despite the heavy
bombing by Malaysian fighter jets.
According to the Philippine daily,
Sulu sultanate spokesperson Abraham Idjirani had spoken to the leader of group
Azzimudie Kiram and was told the bombs had struck the area but did not hit the
gunmen.
"He(Azzimudie) said if this is
the last stand we do, let it be. But as a guerilla fighter now, we will find
our way to sneak out from all dangers in order to survive. It only means they
are afraid of us. If they were really brave, they would not use such a huge
force to avoid being accused of overkill. They are showing the world that what
they are doing is overkill," said Abraham.
Moro fighters trained in Malaysia
may also join the fight, quashing hopes for a speedy end to the Sabah crisis.
Hadji Acmad Bayam, former chief
propagandist of the MNLF, told the Manila Bulletin that seasoned commanders
from the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) may have at their disposal a
huge arsenal, which they had hid deep in Sabah’s rugged terrain.
According to Bayam, many Filipinos
in Sabah were upset at what they perceived to be Malaysian “atrocities”,
referring to the killing of Imam Maas and his four sons in Semporna on
Saturday.
Operation localized to
Kampong Tanduo only, no casualties so far
Embattled Prime Minister Najib Razak
finally gave the green light for the Malaysian army to attack the intruders
still hiding out in Lahad Datu, Sabah.
Najib - who has come under severe
criticism for indecisive handling of the crisis - said in a media statement
that the move was necessary to defend Malaysia's sovereignty.
The Malaysian army began its attack
at 7am. Sounds of gunfire and explosions
could be heard while fighter jets could be seen circling the small coastal
village in East Malaysia which has become famous over the past 3 weeks.
At mid-morning, Inspector General of
Police Ismail Omar issued a press statement, saying that the Malaysian forces
were still facing resistance.
He confirmed that the intruders had
fired several shots at the joint operation carried out by the Malaysian police
and military. However, no casualties have been recorded on either side so far,
he added.
“The public do not need to be
worried as this operation is conducted in Kampung Tanduo only. The public is
advised not to enter the operation area and follow the instruction and advice
from police who are on duty along the road to Kampung Tanduo,” said Ismail.
Najib snubs calls for
Parliamentary roundtable
A
group of some 200 ragtag Filipino men claiming to be members of the Sulu
Sultan's army had managed to slip past Malaysia's security surveillance,
landing by boats to lay claim to the land.
Refusing to leave, they defied a Feb
22 deadline given by the Malaysian authorities. Two major skirmishes on Friday
and Saturday night have led to at least 28 deaths, of whom 8 were Malaysian
policemen.
Shocked by the climbing death toll
and worried that hostilities might spread if left unchecked, Malaysians had
demanded that Najib resolve the crisis swiftly.
Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim and
his Pakatan Rakyat coalition did not mince their words at a Monday press
conference, demanding that Najib did his job and checked the rising anxiety not
just in Sabah but starting to creep into the rest of the country.
They urged him to convene an
emergency roundtable in Parliament to discuss the best solution with the least
loss of lives.
"We are disappointed with the
weak leadership shown by Dato Seri Najib Razak, the Home Minister and Defense
Minister, whose responsibility is to keep Malaysia's security intact. It is
time that the PM realizes that his priority is to defend Malaysia, its people
and the warriors on the front line," said Anwar.
"The Sabah intrusion is now
into its fourth week (Day 23) and the leadership of Dato Seri Najib Razak, the
Home Minister and the Defense Minister appear not to have a clear plan to
overcome the violation of our sovereign territory. Instead, the prime minister
is irresponsibly trying to avert the eyes of the people from his weak
leadership.
Stocking up for emergency
However
it looks like a stung Najib has chosen to go it alone. The 59-year-old leader
had come under fire for refusing to make tough decisions needed to defuse the
Lahad Datu Datu standoff, opting to focus on campaigning for the coming general
election instead.
However, his 11th hour brashness may
backfire.
"Why is Najib afraid to call
for a special Parliamentary sitting and clarify what is really happening. When
are they doing the 'oopa gangnam style'? If all else fails, try this!" a
sarcastic PAS MP for Bukit Gantang Nizar Jamaluddin fumed on his Twitter.
Police confirmed last night that 7
battalions had been sent to Lahad Datu.
Rumours of sightings of armed
intruders have rocked Malaysia, especially Sabah state, where reports of groups
being spotted in Tuaran, Ranau and Sandakan have sparked a mini panic.
Tourism has dropped by about 20%
since last Friday and people have begun stocking up food as the violent
skirmishes spread across Lahad Datu, Semporna and Kunak.
"People are stocking up on
food, essentials, fearing emergency," a Sabah-based source told Malaysia
Chronicle
Mom-and-pop sundry shops report that
the most popular items bought included rice, milk, sugar, oil and instant
noodles.
Malaysian authorities have declared
two villages Kampung Tanjung Batu and Tanjung Labian ‘red zone’ areas.
Relocation of some 150 residents began late on Sunday night to a nearby
community hall. The 2 villages are near to Kampung Tanduo, the centre of the
standoff between security forces and the armed Sulu group here.
Protest in Manila:
Najib's poster burned
Meanwhile,
the leader of the armed Azzimudie Kiram confirmed during an interview with
ANS-CBN's dzMM radio that the Malaysian forces were using unnecessary force
including fighter jets in the latest attack against them.
Azzimudie also expressed
disappointment that Philippines President Benigno Aquino had not made greater
efforts to seal a peaceful solution, only advising them to surrender. Azzimudie
and his men have previously vowed to stay.
"They cannot frighten us
because we are fighting for our rights – the rights of the Bangsa Sulu and in
general, the Filipinos. That is, if the Philippine government still consider us
Filipinos," said Azzimudie.
In Manila, in anticipation of a
protest, a team of police and journalists gathered outside the Malaysian
embassy, which closed at 7am, the time that the attack was launched in Kampong
Tanduo. That did not stop a group of some 100 protesters from demonstrating and
calling for an end to the violence. The protesters also burnt posters of Najib
shaking hands with Aquino.
In Malaysia, some 'anti-war'
netizens have begun questioning the amount of firepower deployed by the
authorities to disarm what is basically a motley group of poorly equipped
jungle fighters.
RT @leaurique: The "war bill" will haunt us in due time. Watch
for it. From "everything under control" to sudden attack, is just not
right.
Sulu Sultanate says no
connection with Anwar
Indeed,
in Malaysia as well as in the Philippines, conspiracies theories have taken
centre stage.
While the Opposition has lambasted
the government for severe "error of judgment" in underestimating the
longstanding problem with the Sulu Sultanate, which it believes the Lahad Datu
siege was a manifestation of, Najib has tried to up the ante by pointing the
finger at arch rival Anwar.
The Malaysian PM has ordered a probe
into claims that Anwar had conspired with the Sulu Sultan to stage the
standoff. Anwar has responded by slapping on two defamatory lawsuits amounting
to RM200mil against Najib's party-owned Utusan newspaper and TV3 station for
the "wild allegations" made against him.
Meanwhile, the Sulu Sultanate has
denied Najib's allegations that the Malaysianl opposition had helped stoked the
Sabah crisis. The Sultanate also brushed off President Benigno’s
allegations that “conspirators” funded the voyage of some 200 followers
Sabah to press a claim to the territory on behalf of the Sultan.
“We are not connected to the
Malaysian opposition; we have not talked to any of them,” Princess Jacel Kiram,
daughter of Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III was reported as saying by
www.interaksyon.com.
Delayed polls in Sabah?
The situation is more complex than
it appears.
There is red-hot speculation that
Najib might take advantage of the Sabah unrest to call for a state of emergency
and delay elections there. His Umno-BN coalition has faced a sharp loss of
voter support, and as far back as July last year, analysts had reckoned it
could lose 60% of the seats it currently holds in Sabah.
Fuelling
the conspiracy theories is news that has emerged that the Malaysian
"Advisor to the Crown" of the Sulu Sultanate is actually from Najib's
Umno party - UMNO Youth exco member Lokman Noor Adam.
Adding to the murkiness is the
unwitting revelation from AirAsia boss Tony Fernandes that his planes were
transporting military personnel to Sabah. "Flights are rearranged today as
we are helping the army transfer staff to East Malaysia. Pls be patient,"
the prominent tycoon twitted last night. As mentioned please be patient with
some flight arrangements on flights as we are helping the army," Tony had
boasted.
Why were soldiers transported to a
conflict site using commercial passenger planes instead of military aircraft?
Why the stealth, was the Najib administration trying to hide the logistics and
for what purpose? So far, none of the Malaysian officials have come out to
clarify or to explain.
'Culmination' of Dr M's
Project IC?
It does not help that perhaps the
root of the problem in maintaining security in Sabah, which has a vast
land-locked border, is an immigration policy that is just as porous.
Analysts have in the past few days
come out to slam former premier Mahathir Mohamad for having offered citizenship
to hundreds of thousand of illegal immigrants - mostly of Indonesian and
Filipino descent - in exchange for them agreeing to vote for his party at
elections.
It is estimated that at least 500,000
Sabah residents are of Filipino descent. Many have settled down to their
Malaysian roots and wish for peace. However, there are still many illegals who
may not take kindly to the way the Najib administration is treating their Sulu
kin.
