M'sian authorities issue ultimatum to armed intruders in Sabah
LAHAD DATU
THE authorities today warned the armed intruders claiming to be from the royal army of the Sulu Sultanate to immediately lay down arms and surrender or face dire consequences.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said the gunmen had no alternative following the gun battle yesterday in Kampung Tanduo, 130km from here, which resulted in the death of 12 of them and two police commandos.
He spoke to reporters at the Felda Sahabat 16 plantation, 130km from here, after arriving here today. He is expected to remain in Sabah until the matter of the intrusion is settled.
Soon after arriving at Felda Sahabat 16, Hishammuddin and Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar were briefed by Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Hamza Taib on the gun battle in Kampung Tanduo in Felda Sahabat 17.
In the incident, which occurred at about 10 am, 12 of the armed intruders and two police commandos were killed. Three police commandos were also injured.
At the same news conference, Ismail said the police had no other option but to settle the incident as soon as possible.
"After what happened yesterday, the situation remains under control. The intruders have been cordoned off in Kampung Tanduo by the security forces. We are in control of the situation.
"The group is trapped in Kampung Tanduo. Given this situation, I warn them to give up. We have given them much time. Their action gives us no other option.
"I do not have any other option but to arrest them. 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 said.
He also said that the intruders who surrender would face action under Malaysian law as they have committed a most serious offence.-Bernama
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Family regrets inaccurate media report on Lahad Datu incident
LAHAD DATU
THE family of one of three injured policemen involved in a gun battle with a group of armed intruders in Kampung Tanduo today, has expressed regret over an incorrect media report that the said policeman had died.
Madun Buyung, 57, of Kampung Tabanak, Lahad Datu, believed to be related to Corporal Azman Ampong who was earlier reported by the media to have been killed in the shootout, urged the media to be more careful before broadcasting their news.
"Please ensure the information you obtain is correct. Get verification from the doctor first before publicising the news," he told reporters when met at the Lahad Datu Hospital here.
He was commenting on an electronic media report that Azman, who was assigned here from Ulu Kinta, Perak was killed in the gunbattle when in reality, the policeman was merely injured on the hand and leg.
Azman is one of two injured police personnel receiving treatment at the hospital here, while the other has sought treatment in Sandakan.
According to Madun, the incorrect news report had caused anxiety to the family members but they are grateful that Azman is safe. -Bernama
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Well-planned attack
KUALA LUMPUR
MORE MANPOWER: Additional soldiers are brought in to handle the Lahad Datu crisis —BERNAMApic
IT was so well planned that they managed to fool everybody — even our security and intelligence units.
Sending decoys and coming in batches, the invaders of Kampung Tanduo in Lahad Datu also had help from their brethren who were already living and working in Lahad Datu.
High-placed sources tell The Malay Mail that the 189 militia said to be representing the Sultan of Sulu had started arriving in batches to Felda Sahabat 17 between Feb 3 and Feb 11.
As a decoy, some of them were elderly men and women, but they were armed with automatic weapons and with handguns provided by locals — a plan that fooled the authorities here, who even went as far as labelling them a “bunch of old men with rusty rifles”.
However, the more sophisticated weapons comprising M-16s and explosives were supplied by the arms trade within Sulu waters — part of the Basilan black market — the illegal arms trade network comprising the southern Philippines and North Borneo territories.
While police are not confirming this, it is understood that Sulukans — people with Sulu ties who are in living in Sabah — are being searched for weapons.
"Philippine security forces are also now working with our government and will be there until final assault is done," said a source.
The invaders are led by Agbimuddin Kiram, the younger brother Sultan of Sulu Jamalul Kiram III, who had demanded a return of parts of Lahad Datu which is claimed as part of the Sulu Kingdom – and also to bring the Philippines’ claim over Sabah back to the negotiating table.
The invaders had subtly evacuated children, old folks and many of the womenfolk from the village — in anticipation of the bloodshed that was going to be spilt.
Sabah police chief Datuk Hamza Taib has confirmed to The Malay Mail that there were no children in the village.
Army general Tan Sri Zulkifl i Mat Zain yesterday said the intruders have shown combat experience and adeptness in insurgency tactics. He added that they were also well armed, with rocket launches, among others.
Another source said they are well trained by Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and the Abu Sayyaf.
