Growing Questions Over Opposition “Abetting” Sulu Incursion

Troubling questions are being raised over a possible involvement of the Opposition behind the incursion by Sulu militants that has killed at least seven of our security forces. These questions were first raised by the Philippines' media and international news agency Reuters, and have been vehemently denied by PKR, but the doubts still linger.

A leading Philippines daily reported on Friday that Filipino intelligence sources had linked a Sabah politician allied to Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as among the "external factors" responsible for instigating the Sulu Sultan to embark on this foolhardy mission to reclaim Sabah.

"These external factors are one small faction that is in it for the money, an anti-Aquino administration group, and the Malaysian political opposition," noted the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

Its report by journalist Nikko Dizon quoted sources who said these groups had taken advantage of the decision of the heirs of the Sulu sultanate, the Kirams, to pursue their old claim over Sabah.

"But apparently some people want to push it forward now. And why now, at this time, is one of the questions government intelligence is looking into," the report added.

One source, a Philippine intelligence officer, said the reason behind the Malaysian Opposition's involvement was linked to the upcoming election here.

The report alleged that a member of the Malaysian Opposition who is running for a post in Sabah had made prior contact with the Kirams.

"Apparently, this politician was one of those who spoke with the Kirams. He supposedly gave the opposition's support to the Kirams' claim to Sabah," the source pointed out.

The newspaper reported that the Kirams had decided in November to "reclaim Sabah or at least ask for higher compensation for Sabah and due recognition by Malaysia", but instead intruded into Lahad Datu in February.

These are explosive revelations, and if proven true, could be disastrous for Pakatan Rakyat.

PKR naturally stepped in quickly to make a denial on Saturday. Party deputy president Azmin Ali dismissed allegations that Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim or Pakatan have ever backed the Sulu militants.

"All these are baseless accusations and attempts to divert attention from the real issue," he told The Malaysian Insider on Saturday.

Azmin claimed the allegations were being made in an attempt to "weaken" any support that Sabahans may have for Pakatan.

He then went on to accuse Umno of somehow being behind the allegations, ignoring the fact that these were first made by the Philippine media and by Reuters.

"Whoever that makes accusations on Anwar needs to produce proof, I am not surprised if there are external quarters used to burukkan (tarnish) Anwar," Azmin declared.

Yet PKR missed the point. Countering valid questions with a blame-game does not serve the national interest.

What the rakyat deserves to know is whether the Opposition had any hand in fomenting trouble in Sabah by encouraging the Sulu Sultan to dig up his old claim.

Given Anwar's obsession with Sabah and his interest in getting a foothold into this Barisan Nasional 'fixed deposit' state, there was a clear motive for creating a security problem in the state to show the government in a poor light.

All attention and support should now be given to the security forces for ending this incursion, but once it is over, the Opposition will have some serious questions to answer. -The Choice