Lahad Datu: New twist, new threat
| March 4, 2013
Already hit by various scandals, the
BN government cannot afford to drag its feet on resolving this crisis.
COMMENT
The
long impasse in the Lahad Datu standoff has left a sour note in the minds of
Malaysians.
Impatience at the inability of the
Malaysian authorities to resolve the crisis has generated a big hue and cry
with many Malaysians terming it as simply outrageous.
How did a posse of armed militants
numbering over 200 managed to slip into the country undetected to lay siege on
sovereign Malaysian soil?
Why is it taking so long for the
authorities to resolve this tense crisis allowing it to fester for nearly three
weeks?
There is no end to the speculation
and rumours surrounding the highly controversial issue.
Rumour has it that PKR’s Anwar
Ibrahim is working in cahoots with MNLF (Moro National Liberation Front) head
Nur Misuari to create chaos in Sabah, and to entice Sabahans to vote PKR out of
fear, while others feel that it may be a devious plot engineered as an election
ploy by the BN government.
Somehow, many people believe that
there is something larger going on rather than a simple standoff by a small
group of renegades.
Many are adamant that the
controversy smells rather fishy and rotten to the core, especially when the
general election is just around the corner.
Damaging to the
government
The Lahad Datu standoff is testing
the patience of Malaysians, and it is dealing a great blow to the credibility
and pride of the Barisan Nasional government.
Already hit by various scandals, the
BN government cannot afford to drag its feet on resolving this crisis.
Would Malaysia stand idly by, if
armed Malaysians were to encroach on Singapore or Thai territory with the
intention of reclaiming its territory?
That is a simple act of war and
terrorism, which must be swiftly dealt with before the respective countries
evict the intruders with punitive force.
Are our borders that porous that
armed foreigners can creep in and out with such impunity?
Weren’t the Scorpene submarines
commissioned to patrol Sabah’s waters due to its inability to operate on the
shallow Straits of Malacca? How did we manage to let our guards down?
Is our military really in charge or
are we prepared for the risk of a possible invasion? These are some of the
pertinent questions bothering Malaysians today.
It is also scaring Sabahans from
coming out to vote for fear of reprisals, while many Sabahans feel that they
are living in a tense, siege-like and an artificial Emergency situation.
How can the Philippines stand idly
by, helpless to allow its citizens to invade and encroach on the territories of
other countries, without taking positive action to end the incursion?
Has our government refused to allow
foreign military intervention to capture and deport these renegade citizens?
To date, the Philippine government
has sent a humanitarian ship to fetch the women and other civilians who had
joined the armed contingent in its incursion into Sabah.
A new twist
The 180-man contingent which
includes five women and male civilians has established a sort of beachhead in a
little village called Tanduau since Feb 9, with the purpose of dramatising a
symbolic foothold on Sabah
Ignoring President Benigno Aquino’s
advice to stand down, the Sulu sultan has reiterated that his followers will
stay put in Sabah.
“I have already given my orders to
them. And they have to stay put in that area,” Kiram said in a muffled voice.
He said his men would not go back
home until a written agreement is reached on his territorial claim and signed
by the parties concerned.
Issuing a livid message to Sabahans,
he said: “We did not come here to die, but we come here to live with them, to
stay with them, to love each other and enjoy the income of Sabah together.”
“We come here… not to make war
against them especially since we belong to the same religion.”
The MNLF threat
Now with the expiry of all
extensions, it has taken a new twist with the MNLF indicating that it will send
reinforcements if hostilities break out between the Filipino followers of the
Sulu sultan and Malaysian authorities.
MNLF special branch service chief
Khaber Sampang also said that full-blown hostilities would erupt if Malaysians
manhandle the heirs or followers of the sultanate of Sulu.
“War is not far away,” said MNLF
peace panel member Cesar Absalom, referring to the threat of Malaysia to
forcibly evict the royal sultanate army in Sabah.
The irony of it is that Malaysia
purportedly once funded the MNLF in the 1970s to create a rebellion in the
Southern Philippines.
High-powered arms from Libya were
shipped to Malaysia before being handed over to the MNLF.
On another note, the Philippine
Daily Inquirer reported that “if MNLF guerrillas crosses over to Sabah, they
will be harboured by fellow Tausogs who live in Sabah state. A third of the
population in Sabah, according to a rough unofficial estimate, is Tausog”.
Unless this crisis is resolved in a
peaceful manner, this new threat can turn rather ugly indeed for the country.
The Philippine government also fears
that the Sulu sultan’s defiance could result in a Malaysian government
crackdown against undocumented Filipinos residing in Sabah, which is estimated
at 800,000 and their fates hang in the balance at the outcome of this crisis.
“The immediate concern of the
government should be the welfare of Filipinos who were born and raised in
Sabah, which is the bigger humanitarian issue that must be addressed through
diplomatic channels,” according to Filipino leaders.
Meanwhile, the Philippine media are
having a field day covering the crisis, with one reporting that the standoff
has resulted in the sultanate of Sulu succeeding in what its leaders had set
out to do, which was to draw world attention to its proprietary claim over
Sabah.
Another Philippine news media has
reported that “the MNLF has alerted all its fighters in Basilan, Sulu and
Tawi-Tawi as tension mounted between the 235 followers of Sultan Jamalul Kiram
III and Malaysian security forces in Lahad Datu, Sabah”.
If any of the reports by the
Filipino media can be substantiated, then it is a cause for concern.
A peaceful solution
In view of the tense situation, it
would be prudent for the government to resolve this crisis in a peaceful manner
or risk repercussions that Sabah state may become a war zone, embroiled in a
ludicrous war with a bunch of trigger-happy, hide-and-seek foreign militants.
There is a constant debate, with many sanctioning the use of force which may backfire on the country if tensions continue to simmer.
There is a constant debate, with many sanctioning the use of force which may backfire on the country if tensions continue to simmer.
It would also jettison us into the
international spotlight if cross-border tensions were to escalate. It would
also be a gross embarrassment for both the Malaysian and Filipino governments.
The window of opportunity for
Malaysia to take forcible, affirmative action against the invaders is past, as
recent new developments have given rise to a sticky situation that needs to be
handled delicately.
Tour consultant, sports pilot and
naturalist Iskandar Dzulkarnain has been writing a few years now. He is a FMT
columnist.
Krishna Singh · Top Commenter
No one
should believe that this matter can be resolved peacefully unless we are
prepared to hand over Sabah to them. All the statements from them indicate that
they want to settle the matter on their terms. Our own action so far shows that
we have been weak and it will just encourage the invaders.
Now that we have a clearer picture, could the Home Minister clarify how he came to the conclusion that these invaders are not militants or terrorists?
Now that we have a clearer picture, could the Home Minister clarify how he came to the conclusion that these invaders are not militants or terrorists?
Francis
Zavier · Top Commenter · Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
coz
they're moslems?
what does
being a muslim gotta do with it?
Gill S. Manjit · Top Commenter
DID
MALAYSIA SPONSOR TERRORISM? THAN THE LEADERS OF UMNO NEED TO ANSWER. Ask Mahathir,
APA MACAM SEKARANG?
Ray Ong · Top Commenter · Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
In any
country where such an armed intrusion and deaths of security forces and
citizens had happened, the leaders and armed forces would have put the nation
on red alert and deployed all the forces at their disposal to lock down the
state against further incursions. Our leaders have failed us miserably with
their lackadaisical attitude resulting in unnecessary deaths and encouraging
the invaders to launch further attacks. Heads must roll and don't blame the
opposition again as its getting tiresome and boring.
Meramat Tajak · Follow · Top Commenter · Senior Instrument Engineer
at Shell Malaysia EP
Well said.
Najib kept quiet and seemingly wish the problem go away. Now, there was reported deaths in Semporna. The situation seem to escalate into an insurgency. Nur Misuari, the MLNF chief, even join the fray and promise to assist the Sultan of Sulu.
When Najib open his mouth, it was to accuse the Opposition of having a hand.
What an absurd, surreal leadership.
Najib could have come out forcefully that there is no ground for the territorial claim. He could have issue a press statement that the armed incursion is criminal, and the government - while aiming to avoid bloodshed, will not negotiate but wants the armed intruders to disarm or face all out assault.
Further, he could have assured Sabahans that the border security is tightened, and that military assets are moved into Sabah.
But no, Najib turned around and said, Anwar did it ! The government handling of the situation, makes Malaysia a laughing stock in the region.
Najib kept quiet and seemingly wish the problem go away. Now, there was reported deaths in Semporna. The situation seem to escalate into an insurgency. Nur Misuari, the MLNF chief, even join the fray and promise to assist the Sultan of Sulu.
When Najib open his mouth, it was to accuse the Opposition of having a hand.
What an absurd, surreal leadership.
Najib could have come out forcefully that there is no ground for the territorial claim. He could have issue a press statement that the armed incursion is criminal, and the government - while aiming to avoid bloodshed, will not negotiate but wants the armed intruders to disarm or face all out assault.
Further, he could have assured Sabahans that the border security is tightened, and that military assets are moved into Sabah.
But no, Najib turned around and said, Anwar did it ! The government handling of the situation, makes Malaysia a laughing stock in the region.
Thiagu Arumugam · Top Commenter
THE WHOLE
EPISODE BEING STAGED IN LAHAD DATU AND SEMPORNA IS A GREAT SHAME FOR MALAYSIA
AS WHOLE....OUR GOV IS IN-CAPABLE OF HANDLING THE SITUATION OR RULING THE
COUNTRY....
From our
Philippine studies and as per records the Sultanate of Sulu is the lessor of
Sabah. Malaysia has been paying $1,700 a year lease to the Sultanate. Therefore
they have the legitimate claim for this entire island and have the rights to
claim what is theirs. Could someone from Malaysia or Sabah tell me that this is
not true then what evidence Malaysia have? This what I really want to be
enlighten.
Raymond Noel · Top Commenter · St Joseph's Secondary School
This is a
shameful episode in the history of our armed forces, especially when we are
constantly being bombarded with the need to buy big-ticket weapons, guns,
aircraft and even and an unsinkable submarine or two. It simply shows that our
military expenditure, which is not modest by any standard, is wasted money
because it did not make for a safer Msia from invaders and intruders assaulting
our sovereignty.
Simon Khor · Top Commenter · None
It was
stupid mistaken of mamakutty in first place let those illegal came to Sabah in
hopping to Topple PBS government then was back more than 10 years...ago... and
now we have another crisis with sultan aka sulu followers... and what is
government of ameno doing?
Robert Lim Beng Beng · Top Commenter
our
bereavement and condolences go to those security personnel for their brave
sacrifices to protect our sovereignity and country. PM says don't listen to
rumours...so please don't listen to rumours that the opposition has a part in
this episode. also don't listen to rumours regarding bn conspiracy with the
filipinos muslims to make the SABAHANS feel threatened without bn govt. also
don't blame the security force for not taking fast action bcos the ORDERS come
from someone who said that these armed filipinos are not militants or invaders,
so they should be accorded with MALAYSIAN hospitality so as to promote visit
MALAYSIA 2014 just launched by tourist minister NG YES YES.
Francis
Zavier · Top Commenter · Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Maybe this
is a cleverly plotted ruse to buy more and more Scorpenes?
Niera Jp · Top Commenter
Innocent
Malaysian brutally beaten and died in police custody , but the terrorist are
getting free tour in malaysia!
"The
greatest trick the Devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't
exist".
Ernest Sirimanne · Top Commenter
Everyone
seems to forget that this is a direct result of mamakutty mahathirs citizenship
policy in Sabah. Create more muslims to end christian dominance on the
political front. Mamakutty - Sabah is now reaping what you sowed not so very
long ago. I think it is opportune that malaysians see the frightful damage
wrought by this bloody kutty and his BN compatriots.
Azizah Ishak · Top Commenter · SM Methodist Parit Buntar
tis mess
should NOT be prolong n we cannot simply send in our POLICE to go in n let die
n tis is NOT approriate for UMNO being the longest ruling party in the world
suddenly bcome a laughing stock to the world! has transformation made our
FORCES WEAK? tq.
GS Guang Trading · Top Commenter · Technical College
Scorpene
submarines already sunk into South China Sea. Shame for Malaysia with hopeless
and brainless reaction.
Karma :)
Mak Yoon Nam · Top Commenter
Shocking
photos at http://omak kau.blogspot.com/.
Why must we be at war with these armed men if they are not considered militants and terrorists. They are specially invited guests of UMNO. Just read the above web blog and look at the cute pictures.
Rupa-rupanya pemimpin penceroboh Sulu yang membunuh tidak kurang 6 anggota keselamatan negara kita di Lahad Datu Sabah adalah tetamu agung dalam Perhimpunan Agung UMNO 2012 di PWTC baru-baru ini.
Mereka dijemput khas oleh UMNO sebagai tanda sahabat dan rakan karib intim.
Cuba memburukkan pencerobohan Lahad Datu dengan DSAI tetapi rupa-rupanya pemimpin agung Sulu adalah tetamu agung Najib Razak semasa Perhimpunan Agung UMNO 2012.
Please refer the photos in the website to convince yourselves.
SEKARANG APA MACAM.. APA NAK CERITA SEKARANG?
Why must we be at war with these armed men if they are not considered militants and terrorists. They are specially invited guests of UMNO. Just read the above web blog and look at the cute pictures.
Rupa-rupanya pemimpin penceroboh Sulu yang membunuh tidak kurang 6 anggota keselamatan negara kita di Lahad Datu Sabah adalah tetamu agung dalam Perhimpunan Agung UMNO 2012 di PWTC baru-baru ini.
Mereka dijemput khas oleh UMNO sebagai tanda sahabat dan rakan karib intim.
Cuba memburukkan pencerobohan Lahad Datu dengan DSAI tetapi rupa-rupanya pemimpin agung Sulu adalah tetamu agung Najib Razak semasa Perhimpunan Agung UMNO 2012.
Please refer the photos in the website to convince yourselves.
SEKARANG APA MACAM.. APA NAK CERITA SEKARANG?
Malaysia
helped in creating the MNLF in the 1970's. In fact, the first few batches of
MNLF cadres recruited by Nur Misuari trained inside Malaysia and they were
supplied with funds, weapons and other logistics. Malaysia did this in order to
pressure President Marcos into dropping the Sabah claim. This armed group now holed
up in Lahad Datu are the product of the Muslim rebellion in Southern
Philippines in the 1970's. They are the children of the MNLF fighters which
Malaysia created and are now SHITTING in Malaysia's own backyard. If the
conflict escalates, soon there will be suicide bombings in the crowded malls of
Kuala Lumpur and other cities of Malaysia just like what they did in Manila
during the height of the war in Mindanao. NOW, DEAL WITH IT MALAYSHIT! It's
called Karma.
Richard Yap · Top Commenter · College Damansara Utama
http://ph.news.yahoo.com/don-t-harm-sultan-men-nur-warns-malaysia-120339013.html.
Were they here because Najib kor promise solutions of their claims? Now, they
threatened us with war. Thank you Mahathir, for you empowered MNLF and also
gave them ICs freely......
Ramakrishnan Kaliappen · Top Commenter · Project Manager at Holcim (US) Inc.
BN Govt.
should send Kayveas & PPP Gang, UMNO Thugs - 3 Line, Perkasa Silat Dudes,
MIC Gangsters, the Buntut Retired Soldiers to take over Lahad Datu, these are
the fellows who are always ready for a fight!
Niera Jp · Top Commenter
and if its
not because of the American intervention in the middle east crisis , I'm sure
all the muslim countries will blow up into pieces.... Their insanity civil war
is mind blowing!
what's
required by malaysians at the moment is unwavering support for our
soldiers....long live malaysia.
Christine Yong Cheng Hor · Top Commenter · Hong Kong
Won't be
surprise the ministry will decide buying 2 more submarines as 2 not enough.
Reason for the intrusion!!!
Taiking
Lee · Top Commenter · Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Resolve
the matter? Yeah, just send ridhuan tee abdullah to the front line there in
sabah.
Meramat Tajak · Follow · Top Commenter · Senior Instrument Engineer
at Shell Malaysia EP
Iskandar,
Events have already overtaken this article.
Joseph Teh Kim Chor · Top Commenter
What were
our defence forces doing or Not doing, resulting in this tense situation? If
they were doing a proper job this would not had happen. Are our borders so
porous that more than 200 arms militants can camp in our shores for some many
weeks before they showed themselves? Our intelligent agency, any good? These
are normal questions we normal citizens will ask.
Jamaluddin Shamsuddin · Top Commenter · Works at Malaysia
The hard
core Sulu people has only one objective now, to take Sabah back. For this
reason, as preliminary move the case should be refererd to ICJ. If ICJ rules
Sabah should be given back to Sulu Sultan, then Malaysia Government must abide
to the decision. We can see PEACE. If not, Malaysia must prepare to defend
Sabah. We can see more bombings.
Gill S. Manjit · Top Commenter
Haiyah the
sultan of sulu gave up his claim to Sabah in 1962lah. Give back Sabah, you
talking about a state and land that belongs to Malaysia. What kind of thinking
do you have, So easy to give back meh? Helloo "Historically, the claim
over Sabah by the Sultan of Sulu must be looked at and examined from two
perspectives.
“Firstly, on the 24th April 1962, the Sulu Sultanate surrendered their sovereignty over all the Sulu archipelagos to the Philippines government meaning they no longer have any right to any of the territory,
“This instrument was thereafter followed by the Philippines government as the basis of their claims to Sabah which is being resolved at a diplomatic level.
“Secondly, in the same year the people of Sabah in a referendum carried out decided on independence through the formation of Malaysia and this decision was accepted and approved by the United Nations.
“The stability, security and the sovereignty of Sabah as an independent state within Malaysia must be respected by all sides including the Sultan of Sulu and the well-being of the people Sabah must be uphold and defended at all cost,” Bumburing said." http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2013/03/02/harris-suggestion-on-settlement-slammed/#
“Firstly, on the 24th April 1962, the Sulu Sultanate surrendered their sovereignty over all the Sulu archipelagos to the Philippines government meaning they no longer have any right to any of the territory,
“This instrument was thereafter followed by the Philippines government as the basis of their claims to Sabah which is being resolved at a diplomatic level.
“Secondly, in the same year the people of Sabah in a referendum carried out decided on independence through the formation of Malaysia and this decision was accepted and approved by the United Nations.
“The stability, security and the sovereignty of Sabah as an independent state within Malaysia must be respected by all sides including the Sultan of Sulu and the well-being of the people Sabah must be uphold and defended at all cost,” Bumburing said." http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2013/03/02/harris-suggestion-on-settlement-slammed/#
Do u think
those monkeys from pilipin will abide the ICJ's rulings? Only the east coast
that was once belonged to them. And the natives/org asli of sabah do not want
any sultan. especially a an apparently stupid pilipino sultan, who cant even
have a decent house.
Jake
Cloudfield ,
Actually those Tausug warriors sent by the Sultan are not patsies and sub standard troops like the Tamil Eelam LTTE Tigers.
Actually those Tausug warriors sent by the Sultan are not patsies and sub standard troops like the Tamil Eelam LTTE Tigers.
Dominic Ho Kim Hui · Top Commenter · 63 years old
What did
the Virgin Mary apparition on the window pane and in all places , in a renowned
hospital meant and made out to be? It is a sign of trouble ahead and no body
take it seriously. The fateful must pray hard for a quick solution as otherwise
more blood sheds and sufferings will besiege this nation.
If your
battle-hardened landlord requests (not even demands) a raise in your land lease
and you consistently ignore him, what do you think he will do after waiting for
so many years? Malaysia, fikirkan lah dan renungkan lagi, apa yang seharusnya
anda lakukan?
Received a
text from my Sabah friend, "its hard to identify them because they speak
malay fluently and most of them have IC".
Revolt Pilipinas · Top Commenter
The
sultanete of sulu already send this to UN court but why malaysia refusing it?
hehehe
