UN chief urges end to Sabah violence

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has called for an end to violence in Malaysia's Sabah state.

It comes after Malaysia launched a military assault in an attempt to end an incursion by a group of Filipinos who say the land belongs to them. At least 27 people have been killed since the initially peaceful two-week stand-off erupted into violence. On Wednesday, Malaysian troops hunting the Filipinos said they had found at least 13 bodies. In a statement, Mr Ban's office said he encouraged all sides to engage in dialogue to resolve the situation peacefully. "The Secretary-General expresses concern about the impact this situation may have on the civilian population, including migrants in the region," said the statement. "He urges all parties to facilitate delivery of humanitarian assistance and act in full respect of international human rights norms and standards."

Peace rally

The group of some 200 Filipinos landed at a coastal village in the Lahad Datu district of Sabah, on Malaysian Borneo, in mid-February, saying that the territory was theirs. Protesters say they are concerned for the safety of Filipinos in Sabah Calling themselves the Royal Army of Sulu, the clan members said they were descendants of the Sultanate of Sulu in the southern Philippines, which ruled parts of northern Borneo for centuries, and demanded that the Malaysian government pay more money to lease their land. Initial attempts by both the Philippines and Malaysian government to persuade them to leave failed, and late last week, clashes broke out between the clan and Malaysian police, leaving eight policemen and 19 clansmen dead. On Tuesday Malaysian troops backed by fighter jets raided the area around Tanduo, where the clan were holed up. On Wednesday they then carried out extensive searches of the area, saying some of the Filipinos could be hiding among the local population. The clan said on Wednesday that none of its members had been killed, but later in the day, Malaysian officials displayed what they said were photographs of 13 bodies they had found in a shallow grave in Tanduo. It was not clear whether they had died during the assault or in last week's clashes. Malaysian Defence Minister Zahid Hamidi said one of the bodies was a man who was shot in a firefight on Wednesday, and that more bodies could yet be found. He said the security forces had not suffered new casualties since last week. Both the Malaysian and Philippines governments are coming under increasing public pressure to end the ongoing crisis.

A rally was held in the Philippines capital, Manila, on Wednesday night calling for a peaceful resolution and expressing concern for the safety of the many Filipinos who live and work in Sabah. "We are very apprehensive that it may get out of control," Norhaya Nacusag told Reuters. "We are united and firm in our call to both parties for the unconditional and immediate cessation of hostilities and for the Malaysian government and the Sulu Sultanate to immediately work for the de-escalation of conflict and to open up dialogues to resolve this conflict." The Manila-based leader of the Filipino clan, Jamalul Kiram III - one of several men who claims the title of Sultan of Sulu - said earlier this week they they were prepared to "fight to the last man".

SOURCE : BBC News

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Historians agree Sabah rightfully belongs to Malaysia

7th March, 2013

KOTA KINABALU: Historians insisted that Sabah belongs to Malaysia and cannot be claimed by others as Sabahans had agreed to the formation of Malaysia in a referendum held by the Cobbold Commission in 1962.

Head of Social Science School History Programme, Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), Mosli Tarsat said historical evidence clearly shows the status of Sabah as a valid part of Malaysia and recognised by the United Nations (UN).

“Although Sabah, formerly known as North Borneo before the formation of Malaysia, was controlled and influenced by The Sultanate of Brunei and Sulu, the North Borneo Chartered Company, Japan and the British, but after 1963, the situation changed after the formation of Malaysia,” he told Bernama here yesterday.

The Cobbold Commission which held a four month referendum of Sabah and Sarawak for the formation of Malaysia received 2,200 memorandum with about 80 per cent of the people supporting the creation of Malaysia. The Commission’s report was submitted to the British government and Malaysia was formed by combining Malaya, Singapore, Brunei, Sarawak and Sabah (North Borneo).

“Therefore, Sabah officially joined Malaysia on September 16, 1963 after gaining independence on August 31, 1963,” he said supporting a statement by Information Communications and Culture Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim that Sabah rightfully belongs to Malaysia according to international law and cannot be claimed by any party.

In Kuala Lumpur, Prof Dr Ramlah Adam who also agreed with the statement by Rais said Malaysia is a sovereign state that is recognised globally.

“As such, there is no question of claim by any party. The statement by the Information Communications and Culture Minister on Tuesday is historically accurate,” said the Main Fellow, Strategic Studies Unit, Universiti Malaysia Perlis when contacted here.

Ramlah said the referendum on Sabah and Sarawak by the Cobbold Commission, is similar to the Singapore Referendum for the formation of Malaysia in 1962.

“They cannot claim just based on history. For example, the Siam government handed Kedah, Perlis, Kelantan and Terengganu over to the British and cannot claim the states.”

Ramlah said Malaysians, especially those in Sabah must be clear about the matter so that the country will remain peaceful and support national sovereignty.

“We are talking about the security and sovereignty of the country. This is not the time to politicise this issue or blame the government,” said Ramlah.

Prof Emeritus Tan Sri Dr Khoo Kay Kim said North Borneo (Sabah) was separated from Sulu since 1885 and was administered by the North Borneo Chartered Company.

“This matter (separation of Sabah from Sulu) happened long before the Cobbold Commission came in 1963. As such, it is difficult to change the situation,” he added.

Source : New Sabah Times

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Positive reaction from Sabah people

Published on: Wednesday, March 06, 2013

Lahad Datu: The drastic action by security forces to end the 22-day intrusion in Kampung Tanduo here by launching an offensive attack early Tuesday received positive reaction from the people in Sabah. 

 Hoping the operation would end quickly, residents met expressed support for the serious action taken by the Government in addressing the issue. 

 Hotel worker, Anisah Aradji, 37, said she and her family were worried and in fear after reading the news on the incidents in Kampung Tanduo and Semporna in the newspapers. 

 "Indeed, I was worried and afraid. After knowing that the security forces have launched an attack on the intruders, I feel calmer and relieved, but have to be cautious as the intruders are not terminated completely," she said here Tuesday. 

 Relating her experience, Anisah said she and her family made the necessary preparations, including stocking food supplies, for fear of the situation getting worse. 

 A resident of Felda Sahabat 16, Nuriyamah Mohemma (rpt: Nuriyamah Mohemma), 25, said the news of the offensive attack by the security forces on the armed intruders in Kampung Tanduo brought relief to her. 

 "I am very thankful to the police and the armed forces for the action taken and hoped all these will end soon as I worry about my parents safety there," she added. Lahad Datu Assemblyman Datuk Nasrun Mansur also agreed with the action taken by the security forces to end the threats by the Sulu intruders. 

 He believed that the attack could help restore confidence among the people of Lahad Datu that the Government was not weak in handling issues on the country's security. 

 "They will feel more assured and give an impression that the government is capable of handling this intrusion issue,' he said when contacted here. 

 A survey in Lahad Datu found most of the business premises in the town area have carried out operations as usual, with residents leaving their homes to do whatever is necessary. 

 The situation, which was previously quiet, has changed with vehicles back on the streets. 

 The hope of the situation in Lahad Datu and Semporna returning to normal was also voiced by residents in other areas in Sabah. Sibin Gantau, 63, from Tamparuli, wanted to matter resolved as soon as possible to avoid more people killed. 

 "The intrusion should not have happened. Both parties could have discussed the matter at the negotiation table," he added. 

 Khairunisah Aisyah, 32, from Tawau, hoped that the problem could be resolved fast so that the people could get on with their normal lives without any fear. 

 She said the media should also play its role by making fast and accurate coverage of events to avoid speculation by any quarters. 

 Ackley Saimon, 34, from Menggatal, said the incident in Lahad Datu would not have happened had the armed intruders from Sulu accepted the offer by the government to withdraw. 

 "Any country in the world would retaliate if there is intrusion by foreigners. The way how Malaysia handles the problem is commendable because for giving the intruders opportunity to withdraw," he added. 

Source: New Sabah Times

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Sabah Masih Selamat untuk aktiviti Perlancongan

Rakyat Sabah sudah semakin lega dengan tindakan yang diambil oleh kerajaan menyerang tempat persembunyian penceroboh yang masuk ke Lahad Datu sejak 12 Febuari 2013. Dilaporkan pesukan keselamatan kita telah berjaya menumpaskan mereka dengan Ops Sulu. Semala beberapa jam serangan udara dilakukan, ianya diberhentikan ekoran memberi ruang kepada tentera darat kita membuat serangan melalui Ops Daulat yang bertujuan menjejaki sisa-sisa pemberontak yang mungkin telah melarikan diri.

Ekoran dari itu kerajaan menyatakan tidak ada ancaman bagi pelancong yang ingin berkunjung ke Sabah.

Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen sebagai berkata:

“Terdapat pegawai tentera yang mengawal pulau-pulau seperti Sipadan sejak sekian lama,” 

“Mereka memaklumkan kepada kita setiap hari,”

“Terdapat segelintir mereka yang tidak mahu ke Sabah tetapi mengubah destinasi mereka ke tempat lain seperti Langkawi,”

Keselamatan kita masih terjamin dan difahamkan tidak ada berlaku sebarang ancaman terhadap orang awam dan juga kepada pelancong di kebanyakkan tempat di Sabah.

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Dompok: Sabah issue not big enough to factor in the supply and demand for the palm oil

KUALA LUMPUR: The recent development in Sabah is not big enough to factor in the supply and demand for the palm oil industry, said Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Tan Sri Bernard Dompok.

“I do not think refiners are affected as they are mostly in town areas,” Dompok said.

The affected area is about 1% or 1,000ha of Felda Global Ventures Holdings Bhd's (FGVH) Sabah estates

The Malaysia Palm Oil Board, in its palm oil statistics for January, showed that Sabah was the biggest crude palm oil (CPO) producer in Malaysia accounting for 33% of the total production or 534,842 tonnes produce for the month.

Speaking to reporters after the launch of Palm and Lauric Oils Conference and Exhibition 2013 yesterday, Dompok said at the moment, Sabah held 1.4 million ha of plantation land area, which is almost 28.4%.

Meanwhile, Dompok said the export tax on the CPO for the following month depended on the market forces that would drive the price movement base on the demand and supply.

“At the moment, we have no new plans for this year to further strengthen market prices and reduce the high stockpile. It would not be more than what we have announced,” he said.

Besides the export tax changes, the Government has announced several programmes which include the replanting and biodiesel programme.

On its plan to tap in new markets for the industry this year, Dompok said Malaysia would continue to drive the growth of its markets by seeking opportunities to expand our partnerships.

Malaysian Palm Oil Board chairman Tan Sri Shahrir Abdul Samad, who was present at the press conference, said the palm oil price would increase gradually. “We expect the CPO price would be between RM2,200 and RM2,500 a tonne for this year,” he added.

He said exports had declined because of high competition and weake demand for CPO.

Based on statistics from independent surveyor Intertek, Malaysia's palm oil exports in February dropped 9% month-on-month.

“We are now trying to manage CPO production through replanting programme and increase consumption especially through the biodiesel programme,” he added.

Source : The Star Online

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Chronology of armed group intrusion in Lahad Datu

 

KUALA LUMPUR: The following is the chronology of events pertaining to the intrusion into Lahad Datu, Sabah by an armed group from southern Philippines:

Feb 12 - A group of men in army fatigues, believed to be armed, land on the shores of Lahad Datu.

Feb 14 - Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Ismail Omar identifies the group as comprising Filipinos. The group claims to be linked to the so-called 'Sulu Sultanate' from southern Philippines.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak says, the Malaysian Government will try its best, including via negotiations, to handle the issue of intrusion before ousting them from the area.

Feb 16 - Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein confirms the group is not a militant or terrorist group but is in fact, a strong supporter of the so-called Sulu Sultanate. He stresses the situation in Kampung Tanduo where the group is located, is under control.             

Feb 18 - Hishammuddin says, the governments of Malaysia and the Philippines are working closely to resolve the conflict, through diplomacy without bloodshed.

Feb 24 - The Philippine Government sends a boat under humanitarian mission to ferry the 180 Filipino armed personnel, including 30 guards, who are holding up in Lahad Datu, Sabah since Feb 12.        

Feb 26 - The deadline to expel the group passes but negotiations are still in progress.

Feb 28 - The Malaysian Government is urged to negotiate directly with a 'Sultan Jamalul Kiram III' in Manila to end the conflict of seizing the area in Lahad Datu, Sabah which has prolonged for more than three weeks.

March 1 - Two policemen, ASP Zulkifli Mamat and Sgt Sabarudin Daud, are slain while 12 armed intruders are shot dead in a gunbattle between the group and security forces in Kampung Tanduo.

March 2 - Six policemen are killed in an ambush at the 'water village' of Kampung Sri Jaya Simunul, Semporna. In the incident at 8pm, six of the armed intruders are also killed.

March 3 - The bodies of six policemen are taken out of the 'water village' as security forces come to the rescue of 19 policemen in the village. 

March 4 - Philippine Foreign Affairs Under Secretary Jose Brillantes and Philippine Ambassador to Malaysia J. Eduardo Malaya are reported to have met Defence Minister Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein to seek a peaceful resolution.

The IGP stresses that security in Kunak, Sandakan and Semporna in Sabah is under control.

Police release list of six police officers and men killed in the ambush in Semporna, Sabah.

March 5 (7am) - Security forces mount operation as they launch attack using F-18 and Hawk fighter jets on group of armed intruders at Kampung Tanduo in Lahad Datu, Sabah, followed by army and police follow-up operations and searches in the village area.

(8am) - The prime minister says the government must take appropriate action to protect its dignity and the country's sovereignty as demanded by the people as the efforts to avoid bloodshed in Lahad Datu was unsuccessful.

(11am) - The IGP, in a media conference with Armed Forces Chief Gen Tan Sri Zulkifeli Mod Zin, describes the operation, 'Ops Daulat', as achieving the objectives set.

(1.30pm) - The home minister, in a press conference with the defence minister, confirms the security forces did not suffer casualties or injuries.

(4pm) - The IGP holds a press conference to announce that follow-up operation and search are ongoing as the police believe the enemy is still in the area.

As at 7pm, the police have not confirmed the total number of armed intruders dead, injured or captured. -- Bernama

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Sabah govt welcomes pepper as new crop

TAMBUNAN: The state government welcomes the efforts of the Ministry of Plantation Industries and Commodities to introduce the cultivation of pepper as a new commodity crop.
Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan said the newly introduced commodity crop has been well received in the state.
He said if farmers in the interior region were given a briefing and guidance on growing pepper, they would cultivate the crop in their gardens together with other crops.
Pairin, who is also Minister of Infrastructure Development was speaking at the closing ceremony of the Hello Commodity Programme organised by the Ministry of Plantation Industries and Commodities at the community hall here on Saturday.
“We hope pepper can be cultivated by the farmers especially in the Tambunan district and Keningau parliamentary as a whole when they receive assistance and guidance just like other commodities such as oil palm and rubber that they are planting now,” he said.
He also hoped that the presence of the officials and agencies under the Ministry of Plantation Industries and Commodities would enable the local community to improve the quality and productivity of commodity crops as well as the industry.
The Tambunan Assemblyman and Keningau MP said the Hello Commodity Programme was also an avenue for participants to obtain information, knowledge and experience as well as new ideas to address issues related to commodity crops.
“With the government vigorously promoting the plantation and commodity sector, the economy of smallholders in the state including those in the Tambunan district and the interior region will continue to improve.
“In this respect, I urge smallholders and entrepreneurs as well as the community in general to take advantage of the assistance and services provided by the government to develop the plantation and commodity sector,” said Pairin.
Also present were the Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Tan Sri Bernard Dompok, Bingkor Assemblyman Datuk Justin Guka, Tambunan District Officer Thomas Angor, officials from the Ministry of Plantation Industries and Commodities and community leaders.

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SP Setia Foundation pledges to continue help Sabah’s schools

Lee (wearing cap) at the event to donate desks and chairs to SRK Sacred Heart.

KOTA KINABALU: SP Setia Foundation has pledged to continue assisting schools in Sabah after it donated 150 sets of desks and chairs to SRK Sacred Heart here yesterday.
The desks and chairs worth RM21,150 would be used for five classrooms in the 110-year old school.
Foundation chairman, Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said the donation is the second from SP Setia given to a school in Sabah.
Previously it gave 500 sets of desks and chairs to SRJK Chung Hwa, Kota Kinabalu.
When responding to the SRK Sacred Heart’s board of management chairman, Daniel Tan, on his request for air condition sets, Lee said the foundation donated based on what it could afford.
SP Setia Foundation began its charity work in the state in 2011 with the launch of the Setia Tinangkaanak Programme to provide educational aid to students from poverty stricken families.
Through the programme, the foundation has provided an education grant of RM150,000 to community learning centres in the three villages of Kampung Kibunut, Kampung Togudon, and Kampung Kalampun.
The Setia Adoption Programme includes over 200 students from six primary schools in Kota Kinabalu which are SK Tanjung Aru 1, SK Kepayan, SRK Sacred Heart, SRK Stella Maris, SRJK Chung Hwa and SRJK Yick Nam.

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Intruders in Sabah will face murder charges

KUALA LUMPUR: The murder of eight police personnel is among charges which the armed foreign intruders in Sabah would face, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz.
“If they have broken the laws of Malaysia, they should be charged in the court of Malaysia for whatever crime they have committed, certainly murder,” he told reporters after delivering keynote address at a dialogue session on the establishment of a sentencing council in Malaysia today.
“It is not a war (in Sabah), it is an intrusion into our country by foreigners, on our sovereignty,” he said, adding that Malaysia acted accordingly, in dealing with the situation.
“If there is a war, then the Geneva Convention will come into play. But it is not. It is still at a stage of intrusion.
“So, it is best left to the police because when it comes to national security, it is the responsibility of the police,” added Mohamed Nazri.
On the sentencing council, he noted, the time was now right for Malaysia to seriously consider the setting up of such council to enhance the administration of justice.
“A sentencing council, thus, can play a role in forging a link between the views of the general public and the decisions on sentences made by the courts,” he said. – Bernama

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LAGI Lahad Datu: Serangan udara dihentikan

LAHAD DATU: Serangan udara dihentikan sebentar tadi dan kini disusuli operasi darat pasukan keselamatan di lokasi persembunyian penceroboh besenjata di Kampung Tanduo, dekat sini.

Sementara itu, satu sidang media mengenai operasi serangan ke atas kumpulan penceroboh dari Selatan Filipina itu dijadual diadakan oleh Ketua Polis Negara, Tan Sri Ismail Omar, di Hotel Residen Felda Sahabat, jam 11 pagi ini.

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Insiden di Lahad Datu memaksa Kerajaan Malaysia Libatkan pasukan Tentera

Apa yang berlaku di Lahad Datu ketika ini amat memberi kesan kepada kita semua. Pada mulanya kita ingin melihat pencerobohan ini berakhir dengan sebaik mungkin tanpa ada pertempuran darah. Namun sikap penceroboh ini yang memaksa Kerajaan Malaysia bertindak lebih keras lagi. Mereka telah mencabar keupayaan ketenteraan kita.Tindakan mereka ini tidak boleh dimaafkan.

Malayia sudah sedaya upaya cuba untuk menyelesaikan masalah ini dengan sebaiknya. Pebincangan adalah yang pertama dilakukan bagi mengelak sebarang tekanan antara dua pihak namun usaha hanya sia-sia. Malah mereka bertindak diluar dari tabii sebagai seorang manusia. Taktik kotor adalah permainan mereka kerana mereka tahu bahawa mereka tidak akan dapat menumpaskan polis dan tentera kita secara terang-terangan. Mereka menyerang hendap dan mengibarkan bendera putih tanda menyerah kalah walhal mereka mengumpan pasukan keselamatan kita masuk ke kawasan mereka.

PM Datuk Seri Najib Razak membuat pernyataan, sila baca di bawah:

"Dan ketika saya sedang berucap ini, anggota polis berada di dalam kereta perisai sedang melakukan tindakan untuk memberkas penceroboh yang melanggar kedaulatan negara.

"Niat kita untuk tidak membenarkan setitik darah pun tertumpah di bumi Sabah. Tidak kira daripada pihak penceroboh atau pun anggota keselamatan kita,"

Masa untuk kita beri apa-apa pertimbangan susah berakhir dan kita sedang bertindak memerangi penceroboh dengan kekuatan yang ada,"

"Soal kedaulatan dan keselamatan negara, kita tidak akan biar keamanan yang kita kecapi diganggu gugat dan dinodai oleh mana-mana pihak." 

Pada saat ini pasukan keselamatan kita sedang berjuang demi untuk menyelamatkan kita dari penceroboh-penceroboh di Kg Tanduo. Kita doakan agar mereka menang dalam misi ini.

Yakinlah dengan pasukan keselamatan kita, mereka pasti dapat tumpaskan musuh negara.

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UPDATE ON LAHAD DATU: Security forces launch attack on intruders

UPDATE ON LAHAD DATU: Security forces launch attack on intruders

LAHAD DATU; Security forces have launched an attack on the intruders in Kampung Tanduo, Felda Sahabat here this morning.

10.00am: Six vessels, two each from the Navy, marine police and Malaysia Maritime Enforcement Agency were earlier seen leaving the marine police jetty

9.15am:  Three fighter jets bombed Kampung Tanduo before troops went in

8.58am: The Lahad Datu district hospital has also been put on alert.
Police personnel have cordoned off the emergency area in the hospital in preperation for casualties.

8.49am: In Kampung E, located closest to Kampung Tanduo where the armed intruders are hiding said they were jolted by loud sound of explosiions that caused thin windows to shatter.
Glass doors at the media centre here, some 5km away shook several times from 7am.

8.25am: Villagers fled from the area as several exploisions were heard.
Fighter jets and helicopters are also seen.

7.30am: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak issued a statement announcing the attack on intruders

Source: New Straits Times

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