Lahad Datu vs Amalilio's RM900mil: Anwar slams Najib, Musa Aman for 'evil state craft'

Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim slammed Prime Minister Najib Razak's government for deliberately playing up and prolonging a security lapse issue in Sabah state, where scores of armed Filipinos had landed by boats earlier this month, claiming a "homecoming" and that they were from the Royal Army of the Sulu Sultanate.

"This is a classic case of evil statecraft," Anwar told a press conference on Monday.

"When leaders are under siege they will create this sort of fear of unrest or threat against security. It has been going on far too long and the (Malaysian) government has been far too soft in handling the issue. Sabah joined Malaysia with a clear guarantee that the sovereignty of their nation will be protected."

Najib, Musa pressed to make public the findings of Amalilio's bank accounts

Malaysia is expected to hold its 13th general election within weeks and Sabah is a key state that Najib's BN coalition must defend if they are to stave off a strong challenge for the federal government from Anwar and his Pakatan Rakyat opposition front.

In recent months, many top leaders in Sabah have fled the BN for the PR, citing endemic corruption and disenchantment. The state government, currently led by unpopular Umno chief minister Musa Aman, has also been swamped by recent controversies that have triggered public outcry and anger.

These include a Royal Commission of Inquiry into illegal migrants allegedly granted citizenship in exchange for voting for the BN at elections as well as a shocking RM900mil Ponzi scheme involving Manuel Amalilio, who is a nephew of Musa's.

"It is very clear. The problem of the group of so-called Royal Sulu Army is being intentionally prolonged. It is not a difficult to solve at all but there is no political will to do so. It is obvious the objective is to create resentment against the Philippines government which has been hounding Musa Aman and Najib over the Amalilio case," PKR Tian Chua told Malaysia Chronicle.

He was referring to calls made by Philippine officials including from Manila's Attorney-General to Najib and the Malaysian Attorney-General Gani Patail to make public their findings about Manuel's bank accounts. Incidentally, Gani is also related to Musa Aman.

"We are talking about almost RM1bil in funds. The Philippine authorities have already confirmed they could find no trace of it in the Philippines. So where can it be but in Sabah. The (Malaysian) Attorney General said he would "check" and "freeze". This doesn't equate to him having already frozen the accounts," PKR MP for Suabng Sivarasa Rasiah had told a press conference last week.

The Philippines want Manuel to be deported back to Manila to face charges of cheating at least 15,000 families, mostly poor Muslims from the South, of some 12 bil pesos. Speculation is also rife that Manuel had created the pyramid scheme, which many top Sabah leaders such as Jeffrey Kitingan had also invested in, to raise money for Musa's election campaign.

Amalilio issue in the background as resentment against the 'Sulu Army' rises

Indeed, the mercury has risen in Sabah, with resentment rising against the Philippines for the perceived intrusion by the armed group which has claimed ownership over the Sabah land they are now holed up in for the Sulu Sultan.

But despite repeated promises to resolve the issue, Najib and his cousin Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein have delayed, missing a February 22 deadline to deport the group.

To cool public anger, Hisham had initially announced that the group would be sent back to the Philippines but later wavered. This despite the modest size of the group, which no one appears to know for sure but has been estimated to be around 200 to 400.

"Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman called me this morning and I told him I would leave it to Wisma Putra to decide.What is important is that we will not compromise on the country's safety and the dignity of the people in resolving the matter peacefully," Bernama had reported Hisham as saying last week.

"If there is a request to extend the deadline, do not extend it for too long as there is a limit and time to tackle the issue in our quest to safeguard our country."

Anifah too passes the buck

Anifah, who is Musa Aman's brother, has since passed the buck to the National Security Council which has in turn tossed the hot potato back to the police.

Meanwhile, the Philippines government has deployed a ship to ferry the group home after the 'deadline' set by the Malaysian authorities lapsed and no further action was taken by the Najib administration to deport them.

The latest report from The Borneo Post claims that the armed men have refused to leave. “I believe we are right (and) this place belongs to us. We will stay,” the group's leader Agbimuddin Kiram was reported as saying.

Meanwhile, Sabah Police Commissioner Hamza Taib told a press conference in Lahad Datu yesterday that there would be no more negotiation with the group.

“We will make some research and consider several factors such as reviewing the areas before taking any action. This group is not small so the study needs to be made before taking action. We will take any action necessary including charging them at the court. We will try to avoid bloodshed but if there is, we will try to minimise it as much as possible,” said Hamza.

However, it looks like Hamza may be just throwing another red herring to appease critics and Najib has been urged to show some "leadership" in the matter.

"Reports from neighbouring nations suggest that the problem in Lahad Datu is serious and it may not be resolved soon. On the sides, there is still the threat of further forced occupation and even violence. The Prime Minister must tell us what is happening and why it is our forces have held back in taking action in Sabah. He should give this matter top priority," MP for Puchong Gobind Singh Deo said in a statement..

Malaysia Chronicle