Malaysians Demand Security: lahad datu

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Tuesday, 28 January 2014

Sulu invaders' 'white flag' came at gunpoint

A Sulu intruder held a stick with a white paper attached to it while two others flanking him pointed their guns at two police commandos at an oil palm estate in Kampung Tanduo, the High Court here heard.

Police VAT 69 commando Kpl Azman Ampong said he was not sure what the intruders were trying to signal with the A4-sized paper when they approached him and Kpl Mohd Tarmizi Hashim.

Kpl Azman said this when replying to defence counsel Datuk N. Sivanathan on whether the armed men were trying to surrender, since they had brought a “white flag” and walked towards the security forces at that time.

“I am not sure what their intentions were because although one of the armed men had brought the stick with the white paper attached to it, two other men on his left and right sides were pointing their guns at us,” he said at the trial of 30 men involved in the Feb 12 incursion into Kampung Tanduo in Lahad Datu last year.

The encounter occurred before a breakout of shootings at about 10am on March 1, 2013.

The trial was held at a hall declared as a High Court room at the Kepayan Prison.

Testifying before High Court Judge Stephen Chung, Kpl Azman said he fully understood that a “white flag” was an indication of an enemy willing to surrender.

Asked whether they had received orders to attack the gunmen after the first gunshot was fired, he said they had not.

“When the shots were fired by the enemies, I informed my team leader DSP Anuar of the confrontation and he asked us to retreat,” said Kpl Azman, reiterating that they had been briefed earlier to exercise maximum restraint.

Kpl Azman said he and his partner decided to retaliate when they were shot at, adding that a call for assistance was made via walkie-talkie immediately after that.

Twenty-two of the 30 accused, including two Malaysians, are being jointly tried on a charge of waging war against the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and being members of a terrorist group.

One of them faces two additional charges of recruiting members for a terrorist group and harbouring individuals believed to be members of a terrorist group.

Five of the accused are charged with being members of a terrorist group, while another, a Malaysian woman, is accused of harbouring individuals believed to be members of a terrorist group.

Two others are charged with attempting to harbour individuals believed to be members of a terrorist group.

Enough documents for Lahad Datu case

Enough documents have been obtained to build a case against the four Malaysians said to be behind the Lahad Datu intrusion earlier this year, said newly appointed Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

“We have obtained all the documents against the individuals.

“Both the police and the Armed Forces will be having a discussion with the Attorney-General's Chambers on the matter in order to build a solid case against those involved,” he said after a working visit to the Bukit Aman police headquarters.

However, despite calls to reveal the identities of those involved, Dr Ahmad Zahid said he would not do so to avoid any prejudicial conduct when the case was brought to court.

“When I was Defence Minister, I did mention the individuals who had held meetings with the so-called Sulu Sultanate prior to the Lahad Datu intrusion. But I will not reveal their identities,” he said.

Meanwhile, Dr Ahmad Zahid pledged to increase the number of police personnel, adding that he would personally facilitate discussions with the Public Service Department to expedite the recruitment process.

“We are also looking into increasing the number of Motorcycle Patrol Units, given their effectiveness in combating crime,” he said.

On the recent spate of shooting cases, Dr Ahmad Zahid said some criminal gangs had taken advantage of the recent abolishment or amendment of certain laws.

“However, the ministry will discuss with the Inspector-General of Police and other Bukit Aman directors on how to boost efforts to reduce and prevent such cases,” he said.

Tourism Malaysia to up media coverage on #LahadDatu to improve perception

Tourism Malaysia deputy director-general Datuk Azizan Noordin.

Tourism Malaysia wants to improve the global perception of Lahad Datu and Semporna by increasing media coverage on the areas following the intrusion of Sulu gunmen.

Deputy director-general Datuk Azizan Noordin said this would lead to increasing the tourism appeal in the two areas and quell fears of would-be visitors since the conflict erupted in February.

"We are also working with the various embassies and high commissions hoping that they will drop their advisories against travel to these areas.

“The situation in the areas is currently under control, and is not expected to deteriorate,” he said after launching the United Federation of Travel Agents' Association (UFTAA) Global Travel and Tourism Conference on Thursday.

The Star

#LahadDatu: #Esscom to focus on four strategic categories

Four key strategic categories of operations will be the focus of the Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom).

Intelligence gathering is a key area in efforts to ensure that any potential threat is identified and neutralised, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

The second focus is on heightening and improving coastal surveillance.

The other two categories are increasing the ability to intercept intruders and strengthening the ability to capture intruders who manage to slip into Sabah.

“These areas of concern are to ensure the security of the people.

“We want people to feel safe,” Najib said after launching the Esscom headquarters at the Lahad Datu marine police headquarters here yesterday.

However, he said Sabah's investments remained undisturbed and Lahad Datu's Palm Oil Industrial Cluster was not affected by the incident in which Sulu gunmen intruded into Kampung Tanduo before they were flushed out by security forces.

#LahadDatu: Filipinos may escape charge

The police are recommending that the 32 Filipinos arrested for illegally entering Sabah not be charged as they are believed to be a political group which had inadvertently drifted into the state's waters.

Sabah police chief Comm Datuk Hamza Taib said investigations revealed the group might be part of a team of campaigners in the ongoing Philippine mayoral election.

Police, however, were waiting for confirmation from the Philippines Embassy in Kuala Lumpur.

“We have opened an investigation paper and referred it to the Senior Federal Counsel but will recommend that the 32 not be charged,” he said after receiving a contribution from the Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd.

The contribution totalling RM27,736.85 was for family members of security personnel killed during the Sulu intrusion in Lahad Datu and Semporna last month.

“We are waiting for an official letter from the embassy to verify these men were on their way to the Taganak Islands to campaign in the Tawi-Tawi mayoral election when they were arrested near Tambisan in Lahad Datu at about 2am on Monday,” Comm Hamza said.

He said that although early investigations did not show any involvement in the Sulu intrusion, police would still detain them under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012.

#LahadDatu: All schools in Ops Daulat zone now reopened

All schools in the Ops Daulat zone are back in session with the reopening of SK Tanjung Labian and SK Lok Buani.

Schools in the vicinity of Felda Sahabat here were disrupted following the intrusion by Sulu gunmen more than a month ago.

SK Tanjung Labian headmistress Sakka Labacho said that only 151 pupils out of the total of 253 were present because many were still at relief centres.

Students will be allowed to wear everyday clothes to school for now, and Labacho said that she was arranging for uniforms and stationery for them.

"Parents need not fear about sending their children to school because the schools are being provided tight security," she told reporters.

A check by Bernama found six members of the armed forces maintaining security at the school's main gate.

Meanwhile, SK Lok Buani headmistress Saabi Hasim, 45, said 97 out of 158 pupils were present in school uniform.

It has been about a month since special branch officer Asst Comm Ibrahim Lebar was killed in Semporna and his family remembers him as a hero and is determined to fulfil his wishes.

His widow, Rosiah Dahlan, 52, said the family was starting to come to terms with the sudden loss of her husband.

“I have gone back to work (with a bank) and my three kids have resumed their studies.

“We miss him dearly, but he would have wanted us to move on with our lives and be happy,” she said after receiving Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak at the family home in USJ9 here yesterday.

Najib arrived at the house at around 4pm and spent more than 30 minutes with the family.

Rosiah’s eldest daughter is studying in Egypt while her son studies at the Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) in Segamat, Johor. Another daughter is taking her SPM examination here later this year.

Rosiah said she was pleasantly surprised by Najib’s visit as she did not expect him to visit them in the midst of his tight schedule due to the general election.

Youngest daughter Amira Shahida, 17, said she would strive to score at least seven As as her dad had wanted.

#LahadDatu: Extra layer of security for Esszone

A panel led by the Prime Minister will be monitoring a committee tasked to manage the Eastern Sabah Safety Zone (Esszone), Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail has said.

He said the panel reflected the Government’s concern that the Esszone covering 10 Sabah districts was managed at an optimum level.

“The panel will from time to time review Esszone committee’s performance and give directions when necessary,” Gani said during a media briefing yesterday about a conference on the safety zone to be held today.

The conference with the theme “Sabah Security and the Esszone” will be launched by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman here and will be attended by some 400 people including civil servants, local community leaders and NGO representatives.

Gani said the conference was aimed at explaining the intricacies of the Esszone to the various interested groups and the public in Sabah.

Gani said Esszone’s legal framework, established in the wake of the Sulu gunmen’s intrusion in Lahad Datu two months ago, was based on the Preservation of Public Order Ordinance 1962.

The state law that was federalised when Sabah became part of Malaysia in 1963 provided for the setting up of a safety zone with a proclamation by the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong.

#LahadDatu: Eight more suspects charged over intrusion

Eight more people have been charged in connection with the Lahad Datu intrusion, bringing the total number of people charged to 16.

Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Hamza Taib said the suspects were charged yesterday under Section 130 KA of the Penal Code for terrorism read with the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma).

“They will be brought to the High Court for a hearing tomorrow,” he said at the daily Ops Daulat media briefing in Felda Sahabat.

He said police believed only about 10 gunmen were left within the Kampung Sungai Bilis, Kampung Lok Sembuang and Kampung Lok Buani areas.

“We are not ruling out the possibility that they have started posing as villagers but the authorities have their own ways to detect them and will arrest them soon,” Datuk Hamza said.

He also assured villagers, who were recently allowed to return to their villages, of their safety as security officials were still present around the villages and other areas in Lahad Datu for security purposes.

“Our personnel are still on standby so there is no need to worry,” Datuk Hamza added.

TheStar

Three immigration, customs, quarantine and security centres (CIQs) began operating in Kudat, Pulau Banggi and Lahad Datu on Tuesday as the first step in closing down the more than 35 illegal entry points along Sabah's east coast.

Immigration Department director general Datuk Alias Ahmad said the three new CIQs were among the first initiatives under the Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM) that was set up in the wake of the Sulu gunmen intrusion in Lahad Datu in February.

"These news CIQs would mean a better regularisation of foreigners into Sabah," he said, adding that the department had formally notified the Philippines government of the new entry points via Wisma Putra.

The new CIQs would be in addition to the existing facilities at Sandakan, Tawau and Semporna.

He said authorities had detected more than 35 illegal entry points in Sabah's east coast and about 25 of these were in the east coast Sandakan district alone.

NS camps in security zone area remain closed. #LahadDatu

Two National Service (NS) camps in Sabah which were closed due to the attacks by foreign militants will only re-open once the security situation there returns to normal, says NS Department director-general Datuk Abdul Hadi Awang Kechil.

He said that the Bagai Budi camp in Sandakan and the Shan Shui camp in Tawau, which are located in the Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) area, had been closed until further notice.

“We will consider re-opening the camps for training when the situation in eastern Sabah is stable,” he said after seeing off 450 NS trainees in Ayer Keroh here yesterday.

Abdul Hadi said that the two camps had been temporarily closed after parents raised concerns over their children's safety after news of the Lahad Datu incursion broke out.

He said 142 trainees originally slated to train at the two camps had been transferred to five camps in Selangor and Malacca.

“Another 846 trainees from Sabah will only undergo training at a later date, while 516 trainees, located in the Esscom area, are unaffected,” he added.

Datuk Seri Muhammad Ridzwan Sulaiman surrendered himself Monday at Ampang Jaya police station in connection with Lahad Datu's intrusion.

On Sunday, Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Hamza Taib said they were looking to contact one Muhammad Ridzwan from George Town in connection with their investigations into the intrusion.

Speaking at the daily press briefing at Felda Sahabat Residence, Hamza said Muhammad Ridzwan, who is in his 50s, is believed to be the president of Pertubuhan Kebajikan Al-Ehsan Islamiah Malaysia.

TheStar

#LahadDatu: Esszone set up to halt incursions

The Eastern Sabah Safety Zone (Esszone) to prevent incursions and ensure the security of the state has been formed.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said that it comprised 10 districts Kudat, Kota Marudu, Pitas, Beluran, Sandakan, Kinabatangan, Lahad Datu, Kunak, Semporna and Tawau.

The zone, he said, would be administered by the Esszone Committee chaired by Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman, with its headquarters in Lahad Datu.

“He (Musa) will be assisted by a chief executive officer and other members to be announced later,” he said during the 206th Police Day Celebrations at the Police Training Academy yesterday.

Najib said the formation of the safety zone was in line with the setting up of the Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom), aimed at safeguarding eastern Sabah.

“The establishment of Esszone does not constitute a declaration of emergency. It will not prevent free and democratic elections from taking place in the area involved.”

It is learnt Esscom would act as an authoritative body for the Esszone. For example, any activity, be it social or security efforts in the safety zone, would be coordinated through Esscom.

#LahadDatu: Security comes first

The probe into the armed intrusion in Lahad Datu has been put on hold as the priority is the safety and security of the people in Sabah.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said the probe whether in the form of a White Paper or a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) would have to take a backseat to other pressing matters concerning the security of the area.

“At the moment, the most important thing is the mopping-up exercises by security forces and to ensure the safe return of all villagers.

“We want to make sure the people in Sabah are safe before we embark on a probe,” he told pressmen after attending the 206th Police Day celebrations held at the Police Training Centre (Pulapol) here yesterday.

Commenting on a possible RCI or White Paper into the Lahad Datu incident, Hishammuddin said: “We want to make sure no third party will exploit the situation by using it to pit Malaysians of different ethnicities against each other.”

He said the most important thing was the country's safety and sovereignty.

I did not know what to expect when I was finally allowed to accompany the marine police out to sea after three days of persuading them, but I was excited and admittedly, a little nervous.

At 9am on Saturday, I, together with three other videographers from various television stations, were escorted by the police, marine and soldiers to board a three-engine police strike craft vessel (PSC Class) from the Felda Sahabat 16 jetty to Sungai Bilis about 12km from here.

I climbed down a short vertical staircase to board the vessel and was welcomed by several armed personnel - a sight which soothed my nerves.

We were separated into two vessels - the PSC 51 and 52 - accompanied by our own "bodyguards", which made me feel like a very important person, and sailed on the calm sea approximately half a nautical mile (1km) away from shore.

The first thing I saw on the hour-long trip was acres of trees when passing by Kampung Tanduo - the first village besieged on Feb 12 and the blue-roofed surau where more than 100 Sulu terrorists were reported to have first landed upon arrival.

We passed Sungai Nyamuk and Tanjung Batu after that and wondered who still hid behind those trees. There were damaged structures as a result of the fighting.

Later, I saw a bridge that was believed to have been used as one of the hiding spots for the militants before security forces dropped mortars in the area to forcibly flush out gunmen from Sabah soil.

#LahadDatu: Filipino accused says he ‘foolishly’ took part in Sabah intrusion

A Filipino accused of being part of a terrorist group told the High Court here yesterday that he had been “foolish” and that he was “paid” to join a group of intruders which occupied a remote seaside village in Lahad Datu.

Holland Kalbi said he was asked by “someone” to be part of the terror group and was paid for it.

“I was just being foolish,” said Holland who was among eight Filipino nationals who were produced before Tawau High Court judge P. Ravinthran yesterday.

Kalbi said this through a Bajau court interpreter when asked by Justice Ravinthran whether he had anything to say about the proceedings.

Justice Ravinthran subsequently advised him that he should bring this to the attention of his lawyer that would be arranged for him if he did not have one of his own.

Kalbi is one of four Filipinos charged under Section 130K of the Penal Code for being a member of a terror group.

The others are Lin Mad Salleh, Habil Suhaili and Timhar Hadir. All four face life imprisonment upon conviction.

Another two fellow Filipino nationals Atik Hussein Abu Bakar and Basad H Manuel also face a similar charge as well as being accused of waging war against the Yang di-Pertuan Agong under Section 121 of the Penal Code that carries the death penalty.

#LahadDatu: Misuari’s claim a lie - MILF

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has denied the claim that the Malaysian Government had used it to strengthen its claim on Sabah.

MILF secretariat head Mohammad Ameen also dismissed claims by former Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) chairman Nur Misuari that Malaysia was responsible for promoting disunity among the Moro people.

“This is a total lie and completely fabricated. Misuari has committed a sin for making such an irresponsible and callous statement against both the MILF and the Malaysian Government.

“He should rectify and atone for this,” Mohammad was quoted as saying in a news report by the Luwaran News Centre yesterday.

He was responding to Misuari, who accused Malaysia of being a “stumbling block” in efforts to unite rival Moro groups in southern Philippines.

Misuari also said that the MILF was “the instrument of Malaysian colonialism” and that it was Malaysia which was “pulling the strings” behind the MILF.

Mohammad pointed out that it was Malaysia who called for the formation of the Bangsamoro Solidarity Conference (BSC) in 2002 to unite the MNLF and MILF factions, as well as to promote a common position among them, especially in their dealings with the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

Eight Filipino nationals charged with terrorism and waging war against the Yang di-Pertuan Agong arrived at the High Court here Thursday morning under heavy police escort.

They were among the first batch of 108 people detained under preventive security laws following attacks against Malaysian security forces.

On Wednesday, the eight, aged between 17 and 66, were charged at a temporary Magistrate's Court in the Lahad Datu district police headquarters.

Each of the Filipinos was charged under Section 130 KA of the Penal Code with launching terrorism acts and waging war under Section 121 of the Penal Code.

Section 130 KA provides for a jail term of up to 30 years while Section 121 provides for the death penalty upon conviction.

The case was transferred to the High Court here for hearing following an application by the prosecution.

The names of those charged were not made available.

TheStar

#LahadDatu: 107 to be charged over Sabah incursion

Over 100 people arrested in connection to the Feb 12 Sulu armed intrusion at Kg Tanduo about 135km from here are likely to face charges in court very soon.

Those arrested include suspected gunmen, uniformed personnel and villagers who might have directly or indirectly abetted the Sulu gunmen.

As of yesterday, 107 people were arrested under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Somsa) and over 243 for various other offences including the Immigration Act and National Registration Act.

Some of them were arrested within the Ops Daulat area where security forces launched an air and artillery offensive on March 4 to flush out the terrorists from Tanduo before it spread towards villages in Tanjung Labian area.

Many others were arrested in Lahad Datu, Semporna, Kunak, Sandakan and other parts of the state.

Sabah police chief Comm Datuk Hamza Taib said the suspects were being investigated for various offences including possession of offensive weapons, suspicious personal documents and illegal entry, among others.

He explained that Somsa (which replaced the Internal Security Act) was used for investigations and charges would be filed under the Penal Code.

Penubuhan Kawasan Keselamatan Khas Timur Sabah (ESSCOM) membabitkan lima daerah di pantai timur Sabah dan ia terdiri daripada Sandakan, Tawau, Kunak, Kudah dan Lahad Datu. Dengan penubuhan ESSCOM ini akan membabitkan penyelarasan kerjasama antara tiga komponen, iaitu penduduk setempat, pasukan tentera dan pihak polis bagi membanteras ancaman pengganas.

Jika diperhalusi ESSCOM bukanlah sesuatu yang asing bagi Malaysia kerana ketika Sarawak berhadapan dengan ancaman komunis pada tahun 1970-an, Kawasan Keselamatan Rajang (RASCOM) secara khusus diujudkan untuk berhadapan dengan ancaman tersebut.

Sudah pasti ada yang mempersoalkan mengapa baru kini kerajaan menubuhkan ESSCOM sedangkan ancaman keselamatan memang sudah lama ujud seperti beberapa siri penculikan yang didalangi oleh kumpulan pengganas dari selatan Filipina.

Perlu ditekankan bahawa selama ini sememangnya ujud beberapa struktur keselamatan khas khusus untuk menangani isu keselamatan Sabah yang dianggap begitu mencabar dan unik. Mencabar kerana perairan terbuka sepanjang 1,400 kilometer begitu sukar untuk diawasi dan unik kerana komposisi penduduk Sabah yang mempunyai sejarah asal usul begitu menarik.

Operasi Padanan & Sipadan Island Resort atau lebih dikenali dengan nama singkatan Ops Pasir adalah salah satu struktur keselamatan yang diujudkan untuk berhadapan dengan ancaman khusus iaitu penculikan pelancong terutama sekali di pulau terpencil. Ops Pasir mula diperkenalkan pada tahun 2000 dan diuruskan oleh Markas Angkatan Bersama, Angkatan Tentera Malaysia (MAB-ATM).

Tuesday, 28 January 2014

Tuesday, 21 May 2013

Thursday, 18 April 2013

Sunday, 14 April 2013

Saturday, 13 April 2013

Monday, 8 April 2013

Thursday, 4 April 2013

Tuesday, 2 April 2013

Monday, 1 April 2013

Wednesday, 27 March 2013

Tuesday, 26 March 2013

Friday, 22 March 2013

Thursday, 21 March 2013

Wednesday, 20 March 2013

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