Kota Kinabalu: The authorities must urgently reveal what is going to happen to the 14 accused who were acquitted from the charge of waging war against the Yang Di Pertuan Agong and other terrorism related charges in connection with the infamous Tanduo Intrusion at Lahad Datu from February to April 2013.Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) President Datuk Yong Teck Lee noted the Federal Court on Monday upheld the death sentence on nine Filipinos who were found guilty of waging war against the Agong while the other 14 were acquitted. "Three of the 14 acquitted persons are Filipinos with Malaysian identity cards. What will happen to these three 'Malaysians'? Will they allowed to roam free? Are the security agencies sure that these three 'Malaysians' are no longer a security risk to Sabah?
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"What should people do if they come across the three 'Malaysians'? These accused persons who had to endure five years of imprisonment under tight security are possibly harbouring anger."As for the 11 Filipinos who were acquitted, what fate awaits them? If they faced immigration charges, it would mean that eventually they will be deported, after serving jail terms in Sabah.
"Would they not continue to pose a risk to Sabah even after they have been sent back to the Philippines? Some of the Filipinos are reportedly from Tawi Tawi in the Philippines which is only an hour's boat trip from Sabah," he said in a statement, Wednesday.
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Yong, a former Chief Minister, said the Home Minister and the Chief Minister, as the Chairman of the Sabah Security Committee, must be put on record to publicly reassure the people that such security risks have been taken into consideration.
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He said the criminal trials of the persons charged with waging war against the Agong and terrorism arising out of the Tanduo Incursion of 2013 is over but the security risks posed by the so-called Sulu claim to Sabah remain.
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One example, he said is the night curfew that is still in force in Esszone.