Malaysia seeks hotline with Philippines on Sabah

MANILA, Philippines - Malaysia wants to establish a “hotline” between its security forces and that of the Philippines to prevent a repeat of the standoff in Lahad Datu, Sabah last year between over 200 Filipino militants and Malaysian troops.

The Filipino militants, who called themselves the royal security forces of the sultanate of Sulu and North Borneo, went to Lahad Datu to assert the Philippines’ territorial claim to eastern Sabah.

Scores of people were hurt when Malaysian authorities cracked down on undocumented aliens following the standoff.

While President Aquino did not want to raise the Philippines’ claim to Sabah during his two-day state visit to Kuala Lumpur last week, Prime Minister Abdul Najib Razak brought up the topic in a meeting at the latter’s office in Putrajaya Friday.

“We are looking at the possibility of establishing a hotline between our security forces in the event of any incident,” Najib told Filipino and Malaysian journalists Friday. “We need to ensure immediate interdiction on our Malaysian side as well as the Philippine side, so that is a very important facet.”

Najib said police and security officials from both countries should exchange information to enhance security matters.

He said once there is peace and security, trade and investment will flow in southern Philippines as well as in Sabah.

Sabah is an island strip that Manila previously claimed as its own, but is disputed by Malaysia. Muslims, led by the late Sulu sultan Jamalul Kiram III, have claimed ownership of the island, but until now, the government is still weighing its options.

For his part, Aquino was thankful that the Malaysian government did not send home the hundreds of thousands of Filipinos there which could have worsened the country’s unemployment problem.

“We are thankful that they were very conscious about the possible negative effects if they sent all the Filipinos back home at the same time,” Aquino told Filipino reporters.

He admitted that the Sabah issue was raised, but said Manila wants to be sure about its claim on the island.

“We want to be able to tell our people the real score, and in that sense, come up with a consensus based on what is right. If you ask me exactly what the longitude and the latitude of the territory, I didn’t memorize that, I’m sorry. That has to be again verified by historians, by lawyers,” Aquino said, explaining the government’s inaction on the matter.

The Malaysian government wants the Philippines to set up a consulate in Kota Kinabalu – the capital of Sabah – but Aquino said the Department of Foreign Affairs is “re-examining” the territorial and diplomatic issue.

Several sectors have expressed opposition to the idea, saying it would mean that the Philippines had given up its claim over the disputed territory since consulates are established only in foreign countries.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

52 Filipinos killed in Sabah crisis, Malaysia says

Fifty-two supporters of Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III have been killed since the standoff began over 3 weeks ago, Malaysia's police chief said Thursday.

In the last 24 hours alone, Malaysian troops shot and killed 32 followers of the sultan, according to Malaysia's police chief Ismail Omar.

The fatalities included "high-ranking general," Ismail claimed.

He did not identify the alleged general, according to Malaysian news website The Star Online.

"As of now, the death toll among the Sulu intruders stands at 52. At this point of time no further information can be given," Ismail told media.

A total of 31 were killed in Kampung Tanjung Batu while another was shot dead in Kampung Tanduo, he said.

"Our operations have gone into new territories. Initially we were in Kampung Tanduo, now into Tanjung Batu and Tanjung Labian," he added.

Eight Malaysian policemen died in earlier skirmishes.

Troops and police are currently hunting the remnants in a remote region of Borneo island, where they landed last month to assert a long-dormant territorial claim in what has become Malaysia's worst security crisis in years.

A spokesman for the Manila-based sultan, who called for a midday ceasefire, said 235 people including eight women took part in the original incursion.

Prime Minister Najib Razak, who flew to the region Thursday to inspect security operations, said he told Philippine President Benigno Aquino by phone the ceasefire offer was rejected.

"I told President Aquino they must lay down their arms immediately," Najib told reporters in a village near where the army and police were searching for scores of militants.

"They have to surrender their arms and they have to do it as soon as possible."

Kiram declared a unilateral ceasefire for 12:30 pm (0430 GMT) and urged Malaysia to reciprocate.

Kiram says he is heir to the Sultanate of Sulu, which once ruled islands that are now part of the southern Philippines as well as Sabah.

But Najib said Malaysian forces would press on with the offensive, sending more soldiers into the hilly region of vast oil palm estates and pockets of jungle.

Malaysian Foreign Minister Anifah Aman said late Wednesday that his government might seek Kiram's extradition if Manila failed to take action. But the Philippine government said that was unlikely, citing the lack of an extradition treaty.

Malaysia launched an air and ground assault on Kiram's supporters Tuesday after a two-week standoff.

Security officials say many of the militants likely escaped Tuesday's attack and are still at large.

"We want the militants to unconditionally surrender and hand over their weapons," Najib told a news conference at the Felda Sahabat palm oil plantation in Sabah, making his first trip to the conflict area since the standoff began a month ago.

If they do not surrender, Najib said the military would continue to track them down "for as long as it takes to eliminate them."

Razak also announced formation of a "special security area" comprising Kunak, Tawau, Lahad Datu, Sandakan and Semporna in Sabah, according to state news agency Bernama.

The confrontation in Sabah in Malaysia's part of Borneo island was sparked when the armed group arrived from the nearby southern Philippines to press an old claim to the resource-rich region.

It has strained relations between the Southeast Asian neighbors and prompted speculation that Najib may delay a national election he had been expected to call as early as March and which must be held by June.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon urged a peaceful resolution of the bizarre incursion.

"(Ban) urges an end to the violence and encourages dialogue among all the parties for a peaceful resolution of the situation," said a statement released by his office late Wednesday. - with reports from Agence France-Presse, Reuters

source: abs-cbnnews.com

Google hacked over Malaysia-Filipino standoff

KUALA LUMPUR - Supporters of an armed bid by Filipino intruders to lay claim to a Malaysian state took their campaign to cyberspace on Monday, manipulating Google search listings to show a message backing the incursion.

A Google search for the word "Sabah", the state at the centre of Malaysia's biggest security crisis in years, came back with a search results page that quotes "Wikipedia" calling Malaysian control of the state "illegitimate."

"Sabah is illegitimately considered one of the 13 member states of Malaysia, and is said to be its easternmost state but in fact, it is part of the Sultanate of Sulu," the passage read, shown in a box previewing the Wikipedia entry for Sabah.

Malaysians have been shocked by the militant incursion, which began when an estimated 100-300 people landed on the shores of Sabah on February 12, claiming the state for the heir to a former Philippine sultanate.

The website of Stamford College in Malaysia was apparently hacked at the weekend, its front page replaced by a message that said: "The time has come to reclaim what is truly ours."

"Sabah is owned by the Philippines, you illegally (sic) claiming it," it said.

Philippine news portals have said a number of sites in the country were hit by pro-Malaysia hackers.

A tense stand-off between the intruders and security forces who have them pinned down in the farming village of Tanduo erupted in a bloody firefight Friday that left 12 gunmen and two police officers dead.

Another gun battle erupted Saturday in Semporna, hours away from Tanduo by road, dramatically escalating tensions and raising the overall toll of reported dead to at least 18 militants and eight police officers.

Followers of the 74-year-old Manila-based Islamic leader, Jamalul Kiram III, say the gunmen are ready to die to defend his claim to Sabah, which was once controlled by the now-defunct sultanate.

source: abs-cbnnews.com

Robin Padilla throws support for Kiram

MANILA, Philippines – Actor Robin Padilla expressed support for Sultan Jamalul Kiram III amid tension in Sabah, where more than 200 followers of the Sultanate of Sulu remain.

He arrived at Kiram's residence in Taguig Saturday afternoon via a helicopter.

The 43-year-old Kapamilya star, who is a Muslim, expressed sadness over the blood loss in the town of Lahad Datu.

"Sa nangyayari ngayon, nakakalungkot na Muslim sa Muslim... Kung mapapanood niyo at makikita niyo sa video, masakit iyon," said Padilla.

The firefight between Kiram’s men and Malaysian authorities on Friday led to the deaths of 14 people, 12 of whom are from the group led by Kiram’s brother Raja Muda Agbimuddin Kiram.

The sultanate's followers have been holed up in Lahad Datu since February 12 in an effort to strengthen their claim to the Malaysian territory.

On Saturday, President Benigno Aquino III through spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said the path chosen by Sulu Sultan’s Royal Army to stay in Sabah was "wrong," and urged the troop to "surrender without conditions."

But Padilla questioned the government’s stance in handling the standoff.

"Kailangan marami akong tanong na dapat masagot. At ganoon din sa ating mga namumuno ng inang bayang Pilipinas, kung bakit pinapayagan nating mamatay ang ating mga kababayang Pilipino," he said.

"Muslim ako. Nakikita ko ang hindi tama. Nandito ako para mag-apila. kKpwa Pilipino na natin ang pinapatay doon," he said.

Addressing press members at Kiram's residence, Padilla added, "Ako'y katulad din po ninyo, maraming tanong. Kaya po ako narito, upang magtanong."

Asked for his stand on Kiram's claim of right to Sabah and the political tension surrounding the issue, the actor said he only seeks at this point the counsel of the sultan.

"Ang posisyon ko rito, bale wala naman. Ang importante dito, kinikilala ang sultan ng Sulu. Nandito ako dahil nagpupugay ako sa nag-iisang sultan," said Padilla, who credits Kiram for his faith.

During his time at the New Bilibid Prison, Padilla converted to Islam, which he said was "brought" to him by Kiram.

"Alam naman po ng lahat na ako'y balik-Islam, at ang nagdala po sa Bilibid ng islam sa akin ay si sultan. Hindi ko pwedeng makalimutan 'yon," he said. -- With a report from Jay Ruiz, ABS-CBN News

source: abs-cbnnews.com

Malaysia to take all-out action vs Sabah 'intruders' - report

An all-out action will be taken against the supporters of the Sultanate of Sulu occupying part of Sabah following a shootout on Friday that left 14 people dead, Malaysia's The Star reported.

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak announced he has already given orders to the police chief to "take whatever action is deemed necessary" as the deadline for the Filipinos to leave has already transpired.

"They have been given full powers. It is up to them and the ground commanders can take action," Najib said in a press conference.

"There will be no compromise; either they surrender or face the consequences," he continued.

In a separate

report

, Najib said he had spoken to President Benigno Aquino III Friday night regarding the matter.


He said the window for negotiations is already closed, given the hostile stand taken by the Sulu Royal Army.

On Friday, tensions at the coveted Sabah led to a shootout that left two Malaysian police and 12 Filipinos dead, Malaysian officials reported. The spokesperson of the Sultanate of Sulu, however, claimed only 10 of their men died in the bloody encounter.

Najib has expressed sadness amid the deaths of Malaysian police and said security in the area has been tightened.

He also stressed the supporters of the Sultanate of Sulu have already been surrounded with navy vessels also patrolling the area to prevent them from escaping.

"What is important now is that whatever means must be used to cripple the group," Najib said.

'Drastic action'

Malaysian Police also said the remaining members of the Royal Army of Sulu holed up in Kampung Tanduo, Lahad Datu town must surrender or risk facing "drastic action."

Inspector General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar said the group, led by the brother of Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III, must immediately lay down their arms and surrender.

''We have no other options but to take the necessary action to detain them,'' he said in a report in the Malaysian news portal The Star.

He added that the sultanate's followers are now "trapped" since the police are in complete control of the situation.

"The intruders have been cordoned off in Kampung Tanduo by the security forces... The group is trapped in Kampung Tanduo," Ismail said in a report by state news agency

Bernama
.
"I again ask them to lay down arms and surrender. Otherwise, I will have to resort to drastic and necessary measures to end the situation," he added.

Omar also said that those who surrender would face action under Malaysian law, noting that they have committed a

serious offense
.

Meanwhile, Minister Datuk Seri Hishamuddin Tun Hussein said he would be staying in Sabah until the standoff is resolved.

Malaysian officials claim 12 members of the armed group were killed in a shootout with the police commandos Friday morning. The spokesman of the Kirams, however, claim only 10 died in the encounter while four others were wounded.

Two police commandos were also killed and three others injured in the firefight.

source: abs-cbnnews.com

14 dead as Sabah standoff continues

'This is just the beginning,' sultan's spokesman warns

KUALA LUMPUR - Twelve followers of a self-described Philippine Sultan died in a shootout with Malaysian security forces Friday, police said, as tensions ratcheted up in their 17-day standoff.

Hamza Taib, police chief of the Malaysian state of Sabah, also said two security personnel were killed and that the standoff with the Filipino intruders continued, contradicting earlier official statements suggesting it was over.

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak expressed regret over the bloodshed but said he had authorised police and armed forces to take whatever action necessary to end the impasse.

"I am very sad over the incident because what we had wanted to prevent, which is bloodshed, had actually happened," he said.

The two Southeast Asian neighbours were caught by surprise on February 12 when dozens of followers of the little-known sultan of Sulu sailed from their remote Philippine islands to press the sultan's claim to Sabah, which is on Borneo island.

Jamalul Kiram III, 74, says he is heir to the Islamic Sultanate of Sulu, which once controlled parts of Borneo, as well as southern Philippine islands.

Hamza said the shootout was sparked when the intruders, who have been estimated variously at between 100 to 300 people, fired Friday at security forces as they were tightening their cordon in a remote corner of Sabah.

"The intruders fired at us, then we returned fire," he said.

"As a result of the fire, two of my men died, three were injured and... 12 intruders died."

"The operation is still going on," he said, adding that police continued to surround the area where about 100 people were left.

Malaysia's state news agency Bernama reported earlier that two police commandos had been killed in a mortar shell explosion as they patrolled around the village where the gunmen were holed up.

Kiram's spokesman Abraham Idjirani earlier claimed that Malaysian snipers had killed 10 of the sultan's men and wounded four other members of the group.

However, Malaysian officials initially denied that any deaths had occurred.

The leader of the invaders, Raja Muda Agbimuddin Kiram, a brother of the self-proclaimed sultan, avoided capture in the shootout and remains in Sabah with his men to continue the fight, Idjirani added.

"This is just the beginning," he warned.

Philippine President Benigno Aquino's office expressed regret over the deaths.

"We deeply regret the loss of life," Aquino's spokesman Ricky Carandang said in a short statement sent to AFP.

"Our priority since this began was to resolve this peacefully. We have maintained that this action of the Kirams was not the correct way to assert their claims."

Earlier, Philippine foreign department spokesman Raul Hernandez said he was told by Malaysia's ambassador that the confrontation had ended with the shootout.

Hernandez said Manila had formally demanded a full account of the shootout as well as access to any detained Filipinos.

The Islamic Sultanate of Sulu leased northern Borneo to Europeans in the 1870s.

While the sultanate's authority gradually faded as Western colonial powers exerted their influence over the region, it continued to receive lease payments for Sabah.

The former British colony became part of the federation of Malaysia when it was formed in 1963.

Kiram and the other heirs of the sultan still receive nominal annual compensation from Malaysia -- the equivalent of about $1,700.

Idjirani suggested last week that the men would stand down if the compensation was substantially raised.

source: abs-cbnnews.com