ZAMBOANGA CITY (Mindanao Examiner / Mar. 30, 2013) – At least 66 members of the Sulu sultanate had been killed in Sabah and over 400 people arrested as Malaysian security forces continued the hunt against a rag-tag army of Filipino Muslims fighting for ownership of the island-state just near the southern Philippine province of Tawi-Tawi.
Malaysian authorities said the security situation in Sabah is now under control except for some areas where the operation against the group of Raja Muda Agbimuddin – younger brother of Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram- is continuing.
Security forces have allowed residents to return to their villages after days of so-called “clearing” operation.
Sultan Jamalul sent his brother along with about 200 loyal followers to exert historical claim over Sabah, which was ceded by the Sultan of Brunei in the 17th century to the Sultan of Sulu for helping quell a rebellion.
Malaysia annexed Sabah, then called North Borneo, after locals voted to join the federation. (Mindanao Examiner)
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