ZAMBOANGA CITY (Mindanao Examiner / Mar. 6, 2013) – Malaysia branded as terrorists followers of Sultanate of Sulu who clashed with security forces in the oil-rich island of North Borneo that both sides are claiming as theirs.
In a statement posted on the website of the Malaysian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it said Philippines Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario agreed to label the sultanate followers, about 200 of them, as terrorists following the killings of 8 members of the Malaysian security forces in fighting in Lahad Datu and Semporna.
Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram condemned the terrorist tag and said they are only fighting for their historical rights over North Borneo, now called Sabah by Malaysia. Sultan Jamalul has sent his brother Raja Muda Agbimuddin in Lahad Datu to exert their rights and recognition by Malaysia, but were told to surrender and return to the southern Philippines.
Secretary Del Rosario, accompanied by Philippine Ambassador to Kuala Lumpur J. Eduardo Malaya met with his Malaysian counterpart Dato Sri’ Anifah Aman and Defense Minister Dato’ Seri Dr. Ahmad Zamid Hamidi and Malaysian Foreign Ministry Secretary General Tan Sri Mohd Radzi Abdul Rahman and other officials late Monday to discuss peaceful resolution of the conflict.
In his statement, Dato Sri’ Anifah said: “Malaysia considers this group as terrorists following their atrocities and brutalities committed in the killing of Malaysia’s security personnel, two in Lahad Datu and six in Semporna, Sabah. Secretary Rosario agreed that this group should be labelled as terrorists.”
“Malaysia needs clarifications about the law that these terrorists will be charged with in the Philippines, and for the law to be studied by Malaysia’s Attorney General; I also emphasised that actions need to be taken against Jamalul Kiram for his many statements inciting hatred and violence,” he added.
Dato Sri’ Anifah, quoting Secretary Del Rosario also said: “In his response, Secretary Rosario informed me that the Philippine Government deplores the action of the intruders. He conveyed his deepest condolences to the families of fallen security personnel and Malaysian public. Secretary Rosario guaranteed that the Philippine Government will charge the Sulu group involved in Lahad Datu and Semporna to the fullest extent of the law in the Philippines.” The Malaysian Foreign Ministry statement can be accessed on this URL: http://www.kln.gov.my/web/guest/fm.
Ambassador Malaya said “the report is out of context.”
“In Semporna, there were alleged acts of terrorism. As reported by the Malaysian Foreign Minister, after the police forces were lured into an ambush and killed, their bodies were brutally mutilated and desecrated. If indeed these atrocities were committed as reported to him, the Secretary and the Foreign Minister both agreed that these were, at the very least, terroristic acts,” Malaya said. (Mindanao Examiner)
20