Nothing to do with the claim: CM
Published on: Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Kota Kinabalu: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman said the resolved Lahad Datu intrusion incident has no connection with the "Sulu Sultanate" claim on Sabah, but merely an attempt by terrorists to create a security problem in the country, especially in Sabah. He said there were an estimated 200 terrorists who claimed themselves to be members of the "Royal Sulu Sultanate Army" that intruded Lahad Datu on Feb. 9 this year.Datu Agbi Muddin Datu Kiram and Jamalullail Kiram were the masterminds in this intrusion, he said, adding there were also Malaysian citizens involved and they are presently being investigated by police.
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He said the terrorists involved refused to retreat from the intruded area and because of this the country's security forces launched an offensive on the group on March 5. The firefights claimed the lives of 80 people, including eight policemen and two army personnel, as well as forced villagers in the affected area to leave their homes.Musa was responding to Klias Assemblyman Datuk Haji Lajim Haji Ukin and five other assemblymen during the Question and Answer (Q&A) session at the State Legislative Assembly sitting, Tuesday. Lajim, who is also the assembly opposition leader, wanted to know if it was true the Sultan of Sulu III demanded for his rights on Sabah and who are those suspected to be the mastermind(s).
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Musa, who is Sungai Sibuga Assemblyman, said Sabah is an independent and sovereign state in Malaysia, adding a book by the Federal Attorney General titled "Putting to Rest the Claim to Sabah by Self-proclaimed Sultanate of Sulu" also stated Sabah's status as legitimately being part of Malaysia based on two main points. Firstly, on valid and legitimate instruments where the Sultan of Sulu previously had completely and irrevocably ceded this region known now as Sabah as well as all its claims and rights other than the cession money.
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Secondly, all the claims or rights of the Sultan of Sulu on Sabah region, although it was valid or existed in 1962/1963, had become void by the self determination of the people of Sabah through the referendum by the Cobbold Commission from August to September 1963. The United Nations (UN) through its Secretary-General had also implemented another referendum where the people of Sabah had voiced their intention voluntarily to achieve independence from the British and, thus, agreed together with the Malay Federation, Sarawak and Singapore to form Malaysia. The Chief Minister said based on this the Government will not let even an inch of Malaysian soil be claimed by the so-called Sultan of Sulu III or any other party. "So it is not true that this 'Sultan of Sulu III' has the rights to claim Sabah." The government has since declared the East Coast as a Special Security Area and placed the security team to control the area and to safeguard security in that region. He said this involved the setting up of the Special Security Area in Sabah or Esscom (Eastern Sabah Security Command) as announced by the Prime Minister in March 2013, following the intrusion incident. Among the main responsibilities entrusted to Esscom is to strengthen the security control along the East Coast coastal area apart from increasing the intelligence capability in the said area. He said 10 districts have been gazetted as Esszone (Eastern Sabah Security Zone) comprising Kudat, Kota Marudu, Pitas, Beluran, Sandakan, Kinabatangan, Lahad Datu, Kunak, Semporna and Tawau. The PM, himself, also officiated at the launching of Esscom headquarters at the Marine Police Base in Lahad Datu on April 13, he said, adding Esscom is presently moving on the right track and is capable of moving along with the set vision, mission and objective. He said Esscom vision is to be the pioneering agency to the security and prosperity of the people in the East Coast of Sabah by 2017, while its mission is to maintain and strengthen the security activities in the East Coast of Sabah from any enemy threat. This is being implemented through strategic collaboration between the State Government and Federal agencies in assisting in accelerating the State's development for the sake of the people. Musa also detailed the Esscom objectives and core strategies, and said it has already implemented various activities since its establishment. Among them is holding meetings on the barter trade issue, on the designated maritime route, on handling the resettlement issue of the water village people in Esszone, as well as carrying out monitoring on the level of security and public order during the 13th General Election by placing two Esscom senior officers each in all 10 Esszone districts. Also coordinating the security issue during the Regatta Lepa-Lepa in Semporna, conducting evaluation visit to the security posts around Semporna, Tawau and Lahad Datu and holding meeting with the community heads of Tanjung Labian, Tanjung Batu, Sinakut, Sungai Nyamuk, Lok Buani, Sungai Bilis and Tanduo. Apart from that, Esscom also strives to increase the number of security manpower and assets in preparation for any future threat. All the security and enforcement agencies will strive to ensure the incidences in Tanduo, Lahad Datu, will not recur, he added. Musa said the Government has also taken apt measures to create suitable infrastructure for placing the assets of Esscom security forces, adding five battalions of army and police (General Operations Force) will be placed in East Coast area and the government is still studying on the suitable location for all these battalions. He said the cabins used specifically for the Esscom headquarters and several police stations are also just temporary. Musa said the government, which is concerned over the welfare of the villagers affected by the intrusion incident, has prepared two proposals for the resettlement of affected villages in Tanjung Batu and Tanjung Labian. He said for Tanjung Batu villagers a settlement is now in the process of development on a proposed 6.1-hectare reserve land of the village, involving 25 new homes. Four of the houses were built on titled lands while 21 others on State land, he said, adding the house construction project has already started and expected to meet full completion in August this year. For the Tanjung Labian settlement, he said it would be developed on Lahad Datu District Settlement Reserve Land at Kampung Tenagian, involving 52 new houses. He said the right of way to enter and start construction has already been obtained from the Land and Survey Department, but the process to determine the boundary is yet to be decided by the District Surveyor. At the same time, the 106 homes damaged during the incident had already been repaired fully by the Rural and Regional Development Ministry through Giat Mara and Felcra Sdn Bhd. Musa said 31 people have been charged and brought to the High Court following the intrusion incident and investigations are currently being carried to identify the cause and mastermind(s) of the intrusion. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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