Updated: Sat, 02 Mar 2013 10:07:28 GMT | By Agence France-Presse

Malaysia threatens 'drastic' steps in Borneo siege

Malaysia threatened Saturday to take "drastic action" against intruding followers of a self-proclaimed Filipino sultan who have vowed to dig in following a shootout that killed 14 people.

Twelve followers of the little-known sultan of Sulu and two Malaysian security personnel were killed in Friday's firefight, police said, as the more than two-week-old siege in a remote corner of Malaysia turned deadly.

Dozens of Filipinos have been holed up on Borneo island, surrounded by a massive Malaysian police and military cordon, since landing by boat from the nearby Philippines to insist the area belongs to their Islamic leader.

"We want them to surrender immediately. If they don't, they will face drastic action," Hamza Taib, police chief of the Malaysian state of Sabah where the drama was taking place, told AFP.

He declined to provide details of what security forces had in store but his comments echoed growing Malaysian impatience with the situation.

In Manila, Philippine President Benigno Aquino urged the gunmen to surrender immediately.

"To those who have influence and the capacity to reason with (the sultan's followers), I ask you to convey this message: surrender now, without conditions," he said in a statement.

The Filipinos, who are estimated to number between 100 and 300, sailed from their remote islands to press Jamalul Kiram III's claim to Sabah.

Kiram, 74, claims to be the heir to the Islamic sultanate of Sulu, which once controlled parts of the southern Philippines and a portion of Borneo.

In an immediate response to President Aquino's appeal, Kiram's spokesman Abraham Idjirani said the gunmen would remain in Sabah.

"We have spoken: It's honour over lives," he said, adding that the deaths of the sultan's followers have "only strengthened our resolve to defend the rights of the Filipino people over Sabah".

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, whose government has been embarrassed by the security breach, said doors for negotiation are closed and urged the gunmen to surrender.

"The Sulu rebels have to surrender or they will face the action of our security forces," he was quoted as saying by the Star newspaper

While it is not clear how the firefight erupted, Najib said the two police officers were gunned down after walking into a trap.

"I was told some Sulu gunmen had waved the white flag but when the Malaysian forces moved in, they were fired upon instead," he said.

Muslim-majority Malaysia had previously avoided tough talk, expressing hope the intruders would leave peacefully.

But now even if they give up, they will face Malaysian prosecution, Hamza said, after he met with Malaysia's home minister and other top security officials.

Local residents were staying indoors and the usually bustling coastal town of Lahad Datu -- the area's only major town, about 150 kilometres from the standoff site -- was quiet with most shops closed on Saturday.

The Sulu sultanate's power faded about a century ago but it has continued to receive nominal payments from Malaysia for Sabah under a historical lease arrangement passed down from European colonial powers.

str-burs-jsm/ami

There are other isolated cases of my ship being boarded by pirates in Tawau Harbour . Raised Alarm and S.O.S. using ship's horn search light . No response from Tawau Port Authority nor Malaysian Marine Police whatsoever. The Port Authority can't do much for fear of reprisal. Marine Police ? With Pinoy lovers.

Take a trip down those places and see for yourselves. Loyal Malaysian Police Personnel dare not pa****lone or in pair. They would only go to those Ilegal settlements in groups of 4 or 5 people. Those people entrusted to take care of Sabah are not patrolling with their guns - busy with their illegal Fillipinos or Indonesians immigrant lovers. In all fairness, what can Tun Najib do ?

Aren't Malaysians thankful to Mamak Mahathir for the 500,000 citizenship so that UMNO can be in Putra Jaya ? It is very clear-cut case of , " An Indian from Kerala sold off our beloved Beautiful Malaysia".

Previous replies

Loti Tao

Mar 2, 2013 2:08AM

What Anwar said is very true. The intrusion would not have happened if our government had beefed up our security forces at our Sabah borders with the Phillippines. They know very well that Sabah had been flooded with illegal immigrants for ages. And yet no real efforts were made to stem the flow. Furthermore this is not the first time that Lahad Datu was invaded. The last incident of bandits shooting up and robbing the town did not seem to register in the minds of our BN government that they should at least have a larger and more well-equipped military base there.

Now two more members of our forces lives are needlessly lost. How many more lives must be lost before our stupid BN government can come to their senses and do something. Looks like it will never happen. And the only way to make Sabah safer is to kick out BN at the coming GE13. And let Anwar do a better job.

Previous replies

Malaysian818

Mar 2, 2013 10:22PM

The sheer reluctance to take drastic action from day 1 till now is incredible.

Do we need to sacrifice more Malaysians before drastic action is taken?

Previous replies

The GOOD CARING MAN.

Mar 2, 2013 9:17AM

Well,this is the way our malaysian govt handle matters when they are at boiling point.They always wait for someone to 'DIE'then only they take action.Let alone Lahad Datu incident,take a look at a few simple incidents.e.g missing manholes,path holes on roads Datuand so on........etc when the raayat complain about all this to the relevant authority,they fall on deaf ears.But when someone a child or a motorist dies,then u see from the Mayor to the bottom all start jumping.So that's the same with the 'ILLEGALS'at Lahad Datu why must u wait until 2loving souls are lost, then only take action.Why dind't they act before any life is lost.Dont forget they are all illegals ok,they say 'MALAYSIA BOLEH'i think not everything Malaysia Boleh ok.When comes to situations like 'MALAYSIA TAK BOLEH'bcos don't have experience in this kind of suition.So don't be shy to ask which ever country for advice on situation like this ok.It's high time the people and the GOVT to learn a lesson on the illegals,So don't be so good ok not all will work with you.So i hope the GOVT will learn something.So when comes to illegals think twice ok PLS ''THIS IS A LESSON FOR MALAYSIAN GOVT''the more illegals come into the country there are people who are happy ''THE ENFORSEMENT''why bcos they get what they want.Its a fact. OK so don't deny my dear friend.Let me remind the Tourism of malaysia don't just look for money for the country think of the future also ok u ''STUPID GOVT.''if the govt got no money catch hold ''MAHATHIR'' N DIAM ZAINUDIN AND ALL OTHER CRONIES OK''.I don't know if i am wrong in this,when ever EPF invest in to some project,local or overseas i think they should pay all the distributors some sort shares.Because they are using our money to invest into business localy and overseas who's money is it.So Ra'ayat pls WAKE UP ok.

Previous replies

Malaysian818

Mar 2, 2013 7:15PM

Too little, too late!

Previous replies

Tambisan

Mar 3, 2013 1:08AM

As all of you in this post saying completely true or almost so.....funny thing is now why those BN people keep on statement in their beloved Media that all things happens as pleasure by Anwar....Who is guarding our border? Pakatan or Police.I`m not Pro-Pakatan or either Government.As my self have staying in those area ( tambisan were also in Lahad datu, 30-50 minute to the stand off area) for couple yrs, I`ve notice people from Philippine either sabah easily crossing the border without having problem from the police,Army or navy from both Country( Malaysia/Philippine) .C`mon friends,...saying Anwar is the back bone of this problem.... how come they easily crossing the frontier guarded by Police were paid by Malaysian Government.With all the allowance`s and salary`s paid to them by the government were also people money they not much different than robber/thief as well.

Previous replies

bond-0014

Mar 2, 2013 8:53AM

Just go to Petaling Streat , Bukit Bintang , Chow Kit , even the KLCC and other areas in the Klang Valley. This areas are full of illegal and partly legalised foreigners from Pakistan , Bangla , Indon , Burma ,Arabs ..... and most of the businesses are operated and managed by this foreigners .

Our Klang Valley IS AND WILL SOON BECOME LIKE SABAH , ALSO AS "Dont Stone Em describe".

We all should all be thankful to an Indian man who came from Kerela who have sold our beautiful Malaysia in order to be in power and be rich, also for his sons to become richer.

SYABAS DEMOKRATIK MALAYSIA ADALAH DITENTUKAN OLEH PENDATANG HARAM YANG BERI UNDI KEPADA BN . MALAYSIA BOLEH . BN BOLEH

Previous replies

choun yoong

Mar 2, 2013 8:50AM

That aside (Loti Tao and Dont stone em), the other truth is that everyone forgets that time and tide wait for no man. No time was made to stem the flood of illegal immigrants. The present Sulu army took too much of others' time here. They did not care about the tide and the ship waiting. Now they are running out of time.
From time immemorial, time and tide wait for no man!

Previous replies

Perbanyakkan Budget untuk artis Jom Heboh

Mar 2, 2013 12:33PM

Malaysia mesti lah BOLEH, Kalau tak BOLEH, Kita Bincang sampai boleh. Perbanyakkan JOM HEBOH di Lahad Datu.