Sulu Terrorists Could Return

But Malaysian security forces will be ready this time, eyeing to eliminate them at sea, says Ahmad Nadzer, adding that intelligence gathering has improved since the stunning raid at Tanduo

A Borneo Insider EXCLUSIVE by Clifford Chong

LAHAD DATU: Malaysian security forces in the east coast are all the more vigilant now, even though the dust of the bloody armed intrusion of Kg Tanduo, in Lahad Datu five months ago has settled.

Intelligence claims that the Sulu terrorists are expected to return – this time no longer just the Sabah claim, but more for vengeance.

Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM) Director of Intelligence, deputy commissioner, Dato Ahmad Nadzer Nordin (photo) said should they (Sulu) come they would be eliminated at sea, before they can land on our shores.

“We believe they will return,” he said when speaking to the local business community during a dialog organized by the Lahad Datu Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LDCCCI) here, recently.

“We expect them to come better armed, but we will be ready and waiting for them and they will not get to land at our shores.”

Ahmad Nadzer said the terrorists would try to sneak through via other routes knowing the tight surveillance and large presence of security forces in the ESSCOM area.

Acknowledging that prevention is better than to act after an untoward incident, he said that preventive measures had been discussed to enhance the security level at various points.

He acknowledged that with a 1784km coastline stretching 10 districts from Kudat to Tawau within the ESSCOM perimeter, the gaps among the eight radar coverage does present some concerns on the effectiveness of preventing an armed incursion from recurring.

Ahmad Nadzer spoke on the importance of demolishing water villages in the state, particularly in the ESSCOM area, and resettling those eligible in other more suitable areas.

He said terrorists have been known to take refuge in the water villages, while waiting for the right time to strike.

“All this while our (police) intelligence indicated water villages were used as hide out for criminals and smugglers, they hide their fire arms, contraband include drugs there, I strongly believe it is high time for us to eradicates such threats once and for all,” he said.

He admitted the February intrusion at Tanduo was due to an intelligence slip up.

 “The Special Branch did receive information in November and December last year hinting of the Royal Sulu Force’s intention (to invade Sabah).

“But, since both sides had been living peacefully over decades, this information was not treated seriously, and we paid the price for it eventually.

Describing it as a ‘bitter experience’ whereby 11 Malaysian security personnel perished (eight in the confrontation with the armed groups) during Ops Daulat, Ahmad Nadzer assured that ESSCOM is determined to avoid such incident from recurring in the future.

He said with ESSCOM, which has been exploring and adopting all possible measures, security has tightened and intelligence collecting has improved.

Intelligence gathering has also been strengthened with closer cooperation with the Philippines and Indonesian security forces, while it has also started building a closer relation with the local residents.

And to better achieve such an objective, ESSCOM is currently in the midst of establishing its own SMS system to allow the public to provide valuable information of the presence of any subversive elements or threats, through SMS free of charge.

He continued that in the meantime, members of the public can contact him personally should they stumble upon suspicious group in army fatiques or suspicious large boats with large number of men on board, by dialing his mobile number 019 900 0171, or even email him at nadzer@rmp.gov.my and smartstar2003@yahoo.co.uk, should they have photographs of such suspicious groups or activities.

He assured that all information provided will be seriously looked into by ESSCOM which will then immediately dispatch its personnel to investigate, and to take action immediately should such a need arises.

Responding to questions from LDCCCI Chairman, Mok Tian Sang and Deputy Chairman, Thomas Wong, he said the government had yet to decide on suggestions that the ESSCOM Center be shifted to Sandakan.

Ahmad Nadzer said he personally felt that Lahad Datu was the best location for ESSCOM given its close proximity between Tambisan and Tanjung Labian area with Tawi-Tawi Province of Philippines.

He said the ESSCOM operation needed time (due to several factors) to build up to become 100 per cent operational, adding that once ready, it would boost the local community’s economic and social activities.

Also present at the dialog were, the Sabah United Chinese Chamber of Commerce delegates led by its President, Datuk Sri Panglima Gan Sau Wah.

The objective of the dialog was to provide the business community of east coast a better understanding on the readiness of ESSCOM to protect the interest of the community there, apart from providing a platform for the local residents to play their role of providing vital information to ESSCOM.

Read More

Lahad Datu: Court to decide on SB's case of withholding information in two weeks

KOTA KINABALU: A Special Branch corporal will know his fate in about two weeks when the High Court decides if he is to be charged with intentionally withholding information about the intrusion by Sulu gunmen in Lahad Datu in February.

Justice Ravinthran Paramaguru will rule on July 17 whether the prosecution has a prima facie against Korp Hassan Basari.

Hassan, 58, was accused of committing the offence at the Lahad Datu police Special Branch office between January and March 3.

In submissions at the close of the prosecution's case Thursday, deputy public prosecutor Datuk Nordin Hassan said there was sufficient evidence to show that Hassan was aware about the impending intrusion but failed to inform his superiors about it.

Nordin said the prosecution's first protected witness had testified that he (the witness) had alerted Hassan in January this year that some 1,500 men of self-styled Sulu Sultan Ismail Kiram were gathering at Semunul island in southern Philippines.

The witness further told the court that he had reminded Hassan to inform his superiors about the matter.

Nordin said intercepted calls from the two cellular phones used by Hassan also showed that the Special Branch officer was aware that some 400 people had gathered at Bongao in Southern Philippines to prepare to enter Sabah to assist the 200 Sulu intruders at Kampung Tanduo.

Nordin said the intercepted calls also showed that Hassan knew Ismail Kiram's intentions to "claim" Sabah and if the Malaysian government refused to comply, he (Ismail) would cause chaos.

Hassan also had ample opportunities to raise the alert about the intruders including at a Lahad Datu Special Branch briefing on March 3 - a day before he was arrested. Still he did not pass on any information to his superiors, Nordin added.

Hassan's counsel Ram Singh pointed out that the prosecution had relied heavily on Hassan's intercepted telephone calls and certain "sensitive" documents handed over to the Malaysian security officials by Sulu gunmen leaders.
 

Ram said Hassan was being made to be nothing more than a "scapegoat" in respect of the charge against him.

He pointed out that the first protected witness had also testified that he met Insp Yusri and Insp Syazwan, Hassan's superiors, at the Lahad Datu Special Branch to work and cooperate in matters related to national security. 

Both were however not called by the prosecution to testify.

"We submit that Yusri knew or had information from the first protected witness of the national security threats or possible intrusion of men wearing jungle fatigues coming in from Philippines," Ram argued.

"We also submit that the accused had been made a scapegoat for Yusri and Syazwan's carelessness after they were told of national security issues by the first protected witness," Ram added.

He said it was also doubtful if a Kuala Lumpur-based Special Branch administrative assistant could idetify the voices in the intercepted telephone calls by just undergoing three months of training to record dialogues through listening devices.

"We submit that the contents of the dialogues typed by the second protected witness are not the truth as to what she intercepted and listened," Ram added. 

The Star

Read More

Lahad Datu: Joint trial for 29 arrested over Sulu gunmen intrusion

KOTA KINABALU: A joint trial will be held for the 28 men and a woman arrested under various security offences in connection with the Sulu gunmen intrusion in Lahad Datu district last February.

All 29 accused pleaded not guilty to the charges that included waging war against the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, being a member, sheltering or recruiting individuals to become members of a terrorist group, when they produced before Judge Ravinthran Paramaguru at the High Court on Thursday.

The plea could not be recorded for one more accused who was undergoing treatment at the Tawau hospital.

Ravinthran ordered a joint trial for the accused, who were represented by a team of eight counsels following an application by Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail.

“In essence, this provision states that one or more persons can be charged and tried jointly if they are charged for the same offence or different offences under one transaction.

'The keyword here is one transaction,” Gani said in his submission.

Of the 29 whose pleas were recorded, 21 faced two charges under Sections 121 and 131KA of the Penal Code for waging war against the Agong and being a member of terrorist group respectively.

Among those facing the two charges that provides for the death penalty, life imprisonment respectively were Datu Amirbahar Hussin Kiram, the nephew of the self-styled Sulu sultan Jamallul Kiram and “general” of the “Royal Sulu Force” that intruded into Kampung Tanduo in Lahad Datu in February.

Others charged for similar offences were Basad Samuel, Mohamad Ali Ahmad, Pabblo Allie, Abd Hadi Mawan, Atik Hussin Abu Bakar, Dani Ismail, Saidili Jaharul, Totoh Hismullah and Basil Samiul,

Those also charged for the two offences were Rizman Gulan, Abdul Majil Jubin, Rijmal Salleh, Julham Rashid, Tani Lahad Dahi, Al Wazir Osman @ Abdul, Virgilio Nemar Patulada, Masir Aidin, Anwar Salib Akhmad, Ismail Yasin and Binhar Salib Akhmad.

Another four individuals were only charged under Section 130KA of the Penal Code and they were Aman Radie, Timhar Hadir, Holland Kalbi and Lin Mad Salleh.

Three individuals, including a woman, had been charged under Section 130K of the Penal Code for harbouring terrorists.

Those charged under this Section that provides for life imprisonment were Norhaida Ibnahi as well as Kadir Uyung and Lating Tiong.

One more accused - Salib Akhmad Emali - faced all three charges and a fourth under Section 130E of the Penal Code for recruiting individuals to become members of a terror group.

Ravinthran later fixed July 12 to record the plea of the last accused - Habil Suhaili - in Tawau where he was undergoing treatment at the hospital there.

The judge also fixed July 15 to hear the case management here.

Speaking to reporters outside the court, Gani said his office was discussing with the various authorities to fix a venue for the trial in adding that the Kota Kinabalu court complex was not suitable location.

'It would inconvenience the public if we have it here. With 29 accused, there are so many policemen, about 100 if we follow the rules,” he said.

“We are now in discussions as to the suitable locations where security is assured and where the open court concept can be adhered to,” Gani added.

Read More

Jamalul Kiram's nephew, woman among those charged over Sulu gunmen intrusion

 

KOTA KINABALU: A nephew of the self-styled Sulu Sultan Jamalalul Kiram III was among 10 people charged at the Tawau High Court for waging war against the king in relation to terrorism activities committed during the Lahad Datu intrusion.

Datu Amirbahar Hushin Kiram was among eight Filipino nationals who were charged at the High Court that sat for the first time at the Tawau prison complex yesterday.

Amirbahar was accused of waging war against the Yang DiPertuan Agong under Section 121 of the Penal Code that carries the death sentence and being a member of a terrorist group under Section 131(k)(a) of the same Act that carries a life imprisonment sentence.

The other Filipino nationals who similarly charged were Rijmal Salleh, Saidili Jaharul, Dani Ismail, Pabblo Alie, Mohamad Ali Ahmad, Basil Samiul and Rizman Gulan.

They were accused of committing the offences between Feb 9 and April 10 at various locations including Kampung Tanduo in Lahad Datu, Kampung Muanad at Beluran in Sandakan and Jalan Lihak-Lihak, Semporna.

Meanwhile, 46-year-old local woman became the first female to be charged for terrorism related activities in connection with the Sulu gunmen intrusion in Lahad Datu.

Norhaida Ibnahi was accused of harbouring a group of terrorists at an unnumbered house at Kampung Sri Melor at Bugaya in Semporna between Feb 9 and March 22 this year and faces life imprisonment if convicted.

Another local man, Abdul Majil Jubin, 41, was also charged for waging war against the king and being a member of terrorist group. Both offences were alleged to have been committed in Semporna between Feb 9 and March 13.

All 10 were charged before Justice Ravinthran Paramaguru with Attorney General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail leading the prosecution team.

No plea was recorded from any of the accused and Ravinthran fixed June 7 for the cases to be mentioned.

Following the proceeding, Gani informed the media that the cases of another 14 Filipino nationals and a local man who were also charged for terrorism related activities were heard before Ravinthran who also fixed June 7 for them to be heard again.

Read More

Zahid: 3 Opposition leaders linked to Sabah incursion in Lahad Datu

ALOR SETAR: The Defence Ministry has identified three opposition leaders in connection with the Feb 12 incursion of Sulu gunmen in Sabah.

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Zahid Hamidi said on Friday the ministry had enough evidence that link the three - two from Peninsular Malaysia and one from Sabah - to the incident.

He said the evidence would submit to the Attorney General office for further action after this general election.

Read More

Zahid: 35 Sulu militants killed trying to enter Sabah to cause problems during polls

 

GEORGE TOWN: Thirty-five armed Sulu militants attempting to enter Sabah were shot dead by the Philippines navy and coast guard on Wednesday, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said.

He said they were shot before they could enter Malaysian waters after refusing to turn back.

He added that according to intelligence reports, the group was attempting to enter Sabah to cause problems during the general election.

"If they had entered our waters, we would have taken them out. We will defend our country," he said at a press conference here Thursday.

Read More

Tourism Malaysia to up media coverage on Lahad Datu to improve perception

KUALA LUMPUR: 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.

Read More

Lahad Datu: Police release 32 Filipinos who drifted into Sabah waters

KOTA KINABALU: The 32 foreigners arrested near Tambisan in Lahad Datu have been released and escorted back to the Philippines after their identities were confirmed.

Sabah Commissioner of Police Datuk Hamza Taib said the Filipino group consist a politician and his supporters for the Tawi-Tawi ongoing mayoral elections in the Philippines.

“The group had inadvertently drifted from their route about 12 nautical miles away from Tambisan at about 2am on April 8 when they were apprehended by Malaysian marine police,” he said.

“We have released and escorted them back on their boat to the Philippine sea borders at about 5pm on Thursday,” he said after a promotion ceremony headed by Inspector General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar at the state police headquarters on Friday.

Hamza said the Filipino group were on their way to the Taganak Islands to campaign for the mayoral election for Tawi-Tawi when their boat developed engine problems.

The 32 detained men armed with firearms and other weapons were earlier detained and investigated under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012.

Meanwhile, he said four more people have been charged in the Tawau high court for engaging in terrorist activities in Sabah and for waging war against the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

This brings the total number of men charged under the section to 20.

Earlier, Ismail urged all the police continue giving their best to the community and improve in terms of strategy planning for the security of the state.

Read More

Lahad Datu: Police seeking another 'Datuk Seri' to help probe on Sabah incursion

LAHAD DATU: Police are looking for a second Datuk Seri to facilitate investigations pertaining to the Lahad Datu intrusion.

Sabah Deputy Commissioner of Police SAC Datuk Tan Kok Liang said the 57-year-old known as Clarence Luing Karl@ Muhammad Khalil John L Karl was needed to help security forces in the continuing Ops Daulat investigation.

"Clarence's last address was in Kampung Bawang, Tamparuli, about 45 minutes drive from Kota Kinabalu town," he said during the daily Ops Daulat media briefing here Wednesday.

Tan urged Clarence to surrender himself and also sought assistance from members of the public who knew the wanted man's whereabouts.

Initial investigations found that the Datuk Seri is still in Sabah.

The first Datuk Seri, known as Muhammad Ridhwan Sulaiman, was wanted by the police on March 31 in relation to the intrusion.

Muhammad Ridhwan surrendered himself at the Ampang Jaya police headquarters in Kuala Lumpur the next day, although he denied being involved in anyway to the self-proclaimed Sulu sultan Jamalul Kiram III.

Read More

Foreign travel writers to help restore tourism confidence in Sabah

                                  Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen (centre) showing some travel brochures to visitors at the mini carnival

Kuala Lumpur: Scores of foreign travel writers and bloggers are currently on a tour of Sabah under the Mega Familiarisation programme organised by Tourism Malaysia to enlighten them on the Lahad Datu armed intrusion.

Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen said members of the media fraternity from the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Macau and Hong Kong arrived here 10 days ago.

She said the ministry was spending RM500,000 under the programme to take the foreign media delegation to dive spots such as Pulau Layang-Layang and Sipadan to see for themselves the security situation on the islands.

This is to allay fear among foreign travellers on the security situation in tourist destinations in Sabah following the intrusion by Sulu terrorists, she told reporters after launching the Visit Malaysia Year (VMY) Mini Carnival 2014 here Sunday.

"We want them to know that the security of Sabah's east coast has been tightened with the setting up of the Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM) to keep watch on a coastline of 1,400 km from Kudat to Tawau.

"As the hotel occupancy rate in Sabah, particularly in Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan and Tawau has dropped by 35 percent, we need to offset the trend by restoring tourism confidence by giving travel writers the true picture of the situation," she added.

Dr Ng said the mega familiarisation programme was a follow-up to the setting up of a task force by the ministry to revive tourism industry in Sabah following the intrusion through aggressive promotions abroad.

One the VMY 2014, she said a massive campaign would be carried out to promote domestic tourism, and emphasised that cleanliness and good manners should be inculcated among the local community to make it a success. 

Read More

Cops seek " Datuk Seri " from Penang on Lahad Datu incident

Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Hamza Taib showing a picture of the "Datuk Seri" 
at the press conference in Felda Sahabat on Sunday.

LAHAD DATU: Police are seeking a ``Datuk Seri'' from Penang in connection with their investigations into the Feb 9 Sulu intrusion in Lahad Datu.

Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Hamza Taib identified the man asDatuk Seri Muhammad Ridzwan Sulaiman who is from George Town in Penang.

He said Sunday Muhammad Ridzwan was believed to be the president of Pertubuhan Kebajikan Al-Ehsan Islamiah Malaysia (Al-Ehsan Islamiah).

``Anyone with any information on his whereabouts should come forward and assist police in locating him as he was needed in their investigations under Ops Daulat which was launched following the intrusion.

Speaking to reporters at the daily press briefing at Felda Sahabat Residence, Hamza said that Muhammad Rizdwan could also come forward and surrender himself to police.

He said police believe that the man was still in Malaysia and his last known address was at Weld Quay in George Town.

He said police have yet to get more details about the identity of the man who is in his 50s.

It is learned that the wanted man was being sought by police in their investigations into the money links for the financing of the Sulu intrusion.

According to sources, it is believed that several other Malaysians were also investigated for funding the Sulu armed group that entered Kg Tanduo before security forces started action to flush them out on March 5.

The sources said that the man might not be a holding a Malaysian ``Datuk Seri'' title but might be from the family of the self proclaimed Sulu Sultan.

Read More

Lahad Datu: Bank Negara monitoring currency outflow to Sulu terrorists

photo credit:Kelantanpost

BACHOK: Bank Negara Malaysia is monitoring currency outflow via the Sabah border to curb funding for Sulu terrorists responsible for the intrusion in Lahad Datu.

Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Dr Awang Adek Hussin said all banks operating in Sabah should promptly report to the central bank withdrawals on a big scale.

"Investigation can be done under the Money Laundering Act. Accounts of the withdrawers can be frozen if there is proof," he told reporters here Friday.

Monitoring could be done in more detail such as requiring the withdrawer to give the delivery address and reason for sending the money, he said commenting a statement by economist Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam that currency outflow is difficult to detect as it can be done in the black market via post, trade account or smuggling.

Awang Adek said the ministry could not prevent withdrawal of money on a small scale as it was in conflict with the country's international trading policy.

However, if the withdrawal involves a big sum with minimum of RM30,000, the bank may report it to Bank Negara Malaysia for further action.

"Bank Negara Malaysia will make a report to authorities including the police for the purpose of investigation," he added. - Bernama

Read More

Sabah Ministry contributes RM118,409 to Lahad Datu Heroes’ Fund

 


KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Human Resources and Information Technology Ministry today contributed RM118,409 to the Lahad Datu Heroes’ Fund.

Its minister Datuk Dr Yee Moh Chai  said the contribution was from a collection launched by the ministry and its agencies, in appreciation of the efforts of security forces protecting and safeguarding national security, especially in Sabah.

“We fully appreciate the sacrifice made by the security forces in their line of duty to protect the sovereignty of the country,” he told reporters after presenting the contribution at a ceremony in the Kota Kinabalu police headquarters near here today.

Kota Kinabalu police chief ACP Jauteh Dikun received the donation on behalf of the security forces.
Yee said, among the agencies which contributed were the state human resources development department, Sabah Energy Corporation Sdn Bhd, Asian Supply Base Sdn Bhd, KKIP Sdn Bhd and Sabah Skills and Technology Centre.

He said the creation of a special security area, Eastern Sabah Security Command, in Sabah’s east coast was timely and appropriate to protect the interests of the local community. – Bernama

Read More

After 15 days of Ops Daulat, Anwar finally praises national security forces

 

KUALA LUMPUR: After 15 days of Ops Daulat in Sabah to flush out Sulu armed intruders, opposition de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim finally praised the national security forces.

In a special meeting of the opposition pact, the opposition leader also expressed his support towards measures taken by the security forces.
However, according to Anwar, the meeting claimed the government was using the intrusion issue for political gain.
Anwar who was met after the meeting, also stressed that the opposition rejects all foreign claims, including from the Philippines, because Sabah belongs to Malaysia.
Also present was PAS President Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang and DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang. - BERNAMA

Read More