Published on: Sunday, March 03, 2013 |
The Prime Minister said the time had lapsed to consider the demands of the intruders who claim to be members of the royal army of the Sultanate of Sulu in the Philippines.
The Malaysian Government was firm in the matter because the crime committed by them was most serious, he told reporters after paying his last respects to the two slain police commandos at the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) base in Subang near here.
The commandos were killed in a gun battle with the intruders in Kampung Tanduo, 130km from Lahad Datu, on Friday. Twelve of the intruders were also killed in the shootout.
"I telephoned President Benigno Aquino III of the Philippines last night to state the stand of the Malaysian government on the matter after the gun battle.
"I said the Government felt that the time to consider the group's demands had lapsed and that they had the option of surrendering or facing the action of the authorities and security forces," he said.
Najib said their armed intrusion into the country and the killing of two security forces personnel and injuring of three others was a serious crime.
As such, the government would not proceed with negotiations or consider their demands, he said.
Najib declined to comment when asked how much time would be given to the intruders to surrender themselves. "That I cannot reveal for tactical reasons," he said.
Police commandos Insp Zulkifli Mamat, 29, and Cpl Sabarudin Daud, 46, were killed after they were shot by the armed intruders in Kampung Tanduo, 130km from Lahad Datu.
Twelve intruders were killed in the gun battle in which three other Malaysian commandos were injured.
In LAHAD DATU, Inspector General of Police, Tan Sri Ismail Omar said the group leave no other choice to the security forces but to take drastic and appropriate action.
"The group has no other option, put down the weapons and surrender, or the police will take drastic moves.
"We are still in control of this situation and the group is trapped and surrounded by our security forces," said Ismail, adding that the group will face legal action if they surrender themselves.
Ismail warned the group to surrender as the police are ready to take action as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, Ismail said the situation is still under control and that no curfew warning was issued by the police.
"No curfew was called and the people are free to conduct daily activities as usual. People are only advised to not approach our operation areas in Kg Tanduo," he said.
Home Minister, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein also urged the group to surrender or be ready to face drastic action from Malaysian security forces.
Hishammuddin also confirmed he would stay in Sabah to monitor the situation.
Also present were Bukit Aman Crime Investigation Chief, Datuk Seri Bakri Zinin and the State Police Commissioner, Datuk Hamza Taib.
On Friday, two Malaysian security forces were killed while three others hurt in the shooting that occurred in Kg Tanduo about 9.59am.
