Armed intruders must surrender first if they want to talk, says Dr M

KUALA LUMPUR, March 6 – The armed intruders in Lahad Datu must halt their resistance against Malaysian security forces and surrender first in order for any possible negotiations to take place, said former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

“They cannot continue being aggressive. If they want to negotiate, they must lay down their weapons first,” he told reporters after the ‘Sharing the Experience of Nation Building’ discourse at the Islamic Art Museum, here today.

It is impossible to provide an opportunity for talks until they give a guarantee that there will be no more violence, as this involves the safety of the residents and security personnel there, he said.

“They have killed our people in a cruel manner. This has provoked the anger of the deceased’s next-of-kin and colleagues. We cannot take it lightly as they died in our defence,” he said.

He was commenting on a local newspaper report based on Rappler.com quoting Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) founder Nur Misuari as saying he was prepared to mediate in the armed intrusion situation.

“This is my message to Prime Minister, (Datuk Seri) Najib Razak. I’m prepared to send my kin to start talks,” he said.

He was quoted as saying that he was prepared to personally help Malaysia resolve the crisis, which started early last month, after the armed intruders breached Sabah’s coast and entrenched themselves in Lahad Datu. – Bernama