Malaysia declares cautious victory, while gunmen say won't give up despite "OVERKILL"

UPDATE13 Inspector General of Police Ismail Omar has declared a cautious victory, announcing that Malaysian forces had seized control of the Lahad Datu area that had been invaded by armed intruders claiming to be members of the Royal Sulu Army.

Although not all the intruders have been flushed out, Ismail made it clear that the situation did not warrant a military handover and that there was no curfew imposed. However, he conceded that the cordoned-off area in Kampung Tandou, where Sulu intruders had first landed on February 12, remained impenetrable.

Security personnel have also been dispatched to secure other surrounding villages. Ismail also said apart from Kampung Tandou, Kunak is another area where intruders are believed to be still hiding.

"The remaining districts in Sabah are safe and there is no need to fear. We are in control," Ismail told a press conference.

“I believe the enemies are still out there. We are still at the mopping and search stage. This is being done at a large area, about four square kilometres,” he added.

Overkill, Moro fighters to help Sulu gunmen

Meanwhile, the Philippine Inquirer reported that the gunmen, who claim to be members of the Royal Sulu Army, have refused to surrender despite the heavy bombing by Malaysian fighter jets.

According to the Philippine daily, Sulu sultanate spokesperson Abraham Idjirani had spoken to the leader of group Azzimudie Kiram and was told the bombs had struck the area but did not hit the gunmen.

"He(Azzimudie) said if this is the last stand we do, let it be. But as a guerilla fighter now, we will find our way to sneak out from all dangers in order to survive. It only means they are afraid of us. If they were really brave, they would not use such a huge force to avoid being accused of overkill. They are showing the world that what they are doing is overkill," said Abraham.

Moro fighters trained in Malaysia may also join the fight, quashing hopes for a speedy end to the Sabah crisis.

Hadji Acmad Bayam, former chief propagandist of the MNLF, told the Manila Bulletin that seasoned commanders from the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) may have at their disposal a huge arsenal, which they had hid deep in Sabah’s rugged terrain.

According to Bayam, many Filipinos in Sabah were upset at what they perceived to be Malaysian “atrocities”, referring to the killing of Imam Maas and his four sons in Semporna on Saturday.

Operation localized to Kampong Tanduo only, no casualties so far

Embattled Prime Minister Najib Razak finally gave the green light for the Malaysian army to attack the intruders still hiding out in Lahad Datu, Sabah.

Najib - who has come under severe criticism for indecisive handling of the crisis - said in a media statement that the move was necessary to defend Malaysia's sovereignty.

The Malaysian army began its attack at 7am. Sounds of gunfire and explosions could be heard while fighter jets could be seen circling the small coastal village in East Malaysia which has become famous over the past 3 weeks.

At mid-morning, Inspector General of Police Ismail Omar issued a press statement, saying that the Malaysian forces were still facing resistance.

He confirmed that the intruders had fired several shots at the joint operation carried out by the Malaysian police and military. However, no casualties have been recorded on either side so far, he added.

“The public do not need to be worried as this operation is conducted in Kampung Tanduo only. The public is advised not to enter the operation area and follow the instruction and advice from police who are on duty along the road to Kampung Tanduo,” said Ismail.

Najib snubs calls for Parliamentary roundtable

A group of some 200 ragtag Filipino men claiming to be members of the Sulu Sultan's army had managed to slip past Malaysia's security surveillance, landing by boats to lay claim to the land.

Refusing to leave, they defied a Feb 22 deadline given by the Malaysian authorities. Two major skirmishes on Friday and Saturday night have led to at least 28 deaths, of whom 8 were Malaysian policemen.

Shocked by the climbing death toll and worried that hostilities might spread if left unchecked, Malaysians had demanded that Najib resolve the crisis swiftly.

Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim and his Pakatan Rakyat coalition did not mince their words at a Monday press conference, demanding that Najib did his job and checked the rising anxiety not just in Sabah but starting to creep into the rest of the country.

They urged him to convene an emergency roundtable in Parliament to discuss the best solution with the least loss of lives.

"We are disappointed with the weak leadership shown by Dato Seri Najib Razak, the Home Minister and Defense Minister, whose responsibility is to keep Malaysia's security intact. It is time that the PM realizes that his priority is to defend Malaysia, its people and the warriors on the front line," said Anwar.

"The Sabah intrusion is now into its fourth week (Day 23) and the leadership of Dato Seri Najib Razak, the Home Minister and the Defense Minister appear not to have a clear plan to overcome the violation of our sovereign territory. Instead, the prime minister is irresponsibly trying to avert the eyes of the people from his weak leadership.

Stocking up for emergency

However it looks like a stung Najib has chosen to go it alone. The 59-year-old leader had come under fire for refusing to make tough decisions needed to defuse the Lahad Datu Datu standoff, opting to focus on campaigning for the coming general election instead.

However, his 11th hour brashness may backfire.

"Why is Najib afraid to call for a special Parliamentary sitting and clarify what is really happening. When are they doing the 'oopa gangnam style'? If all else fails, try this!" a sarcastic PAS MP for Bukit Gantang Nizar Jamaluddin fumed on his Twitter.

Police confirmed last night that 7 battalions had been sent to Lahad Datu.

Rumours of sightings of armed intruders have rocked Malaysia, especially Sabah state, where reports of groups being spotted in Tuaran, Ranau and Sandakan have sparked a mini panic.

Tourism has dropped by about 20% since last Friday and people have begun stocking up food as the violent skirmishes  spread across Lahad Datu, Semporna and Kunak.

"People are stocking up on food, essentials, fearing emergency," a Sabah-based source told Malaysia Chronicle

Mom-and-pop sundry shops report that the most popular items bought included rice, milk, sugar, oil and instant noodles.

Malaysian authorities have declared two villages Kampung Tanjung Batu and Tanjung Labian ‘red zone’ areas. Relocation of some 150 residents began late on Sunday night to a nearby community hall. The 2 villages are near to Kampung Tanduo, the centre of the standoff between security forces and the armed Sulu group here.

Protest in Manila: Najib's poster burned

Meanwhile, the leader of the armed Azzimudie Kiram confirmed during an interview with ANS-CBN's dzMM radio that the Malaysian forces were using unnecessary force including fighter jets in the latest attack against them.

Azzimudie also expressed disappointment that Philippines President Benigno Aquino had not made greater efforts to seal a peaceful solution, only advising them to surrender. Azzimudie and his men have previously vowed to stay.

"They cannot frighten us because we are fighting for our rights – the rights of the Bangsa Sulu and in general, the Filipinos. That is, if the Philippine government still consider us Filipinos," said Azzimudie.

In Manila, in anticipation of a protest, a team of police and journalists gathered outside the Malaysian embassy, which closed at 7am, the time that the attack was launched in Kampong Tanduo. That did not stop a group of some 100 protesters from demonstrating and calling for an end to the violence. The protesters also burnt posters of Najib shaking hands with Aquino.

In Malaysia, some 'anti-war' netizens have begun questioning the amount of firepower deployed by the authorities to disarm what is basically a motley group of poorly equipped jungle fighters.

RT @leaurique: The "war bill" will haunt us in due time. Watch for it. From "everything under control" to sudden attack, is just not right.

RT @napiez: When this is over there should be an inquiry into the chain of command.

RT @HasmiHashim: Musuh luar askar Sultan Sulu; musuh dalam yg beri IC kpd pendatang Sulu

Sulu Sultanate says no connection with Anwar

Indeed, in Malaysia as well as in the Philippines, conspiracies theories have taken centre stage.

While the Opposition has lambasted the government for severe "error of judgment" in underestimating the longstanding problem with the Sulu Sultanate, which it believes the Lahad Datu siege was a manifestation of, Najib has tried to up the ante by pointing the finger at arch rival Anwar.

The Malaysian PM has ordered a probe into claims that Anwar had conspired with the Sulu Sultan to stage the standoff. Anwar has responded by slapping on two defamatory lawsuits amounting to RM200mil against Najib's party-owned Utusan newspaper and TV3 station for the "wild allegations" made against him.

Meanwhile, the Sulu Sultanate has denied Najib's allegations that the Malaysianl opposition had helped stoked the Sabah crisis. The Sultanate also brushed off President Benigno’s allegations  that “conspirators” funded the voyage of some 200 followers Sabah to press a claim to the territory on behalf of the Sultan.

“We are not connected to the Malaysian opposition; we have not talked to any of them,” Princess Jacel Kiram, daughter of Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III was reported as saying by www.interaksyon.com.

Delayed polls in Sabah?

The situation is more complex than it appears.

There is red-hot speculation that Najib might take advantage of the Sabah unrest to call for a state of emergency and delay elections there. His Umno-BN coalition has faced a sharp loss of voter support, and as far back as July last year, analysts had reckoned it could lose 60% of the seats it currently holds in Sabah.

Fuelling the conspiracy theories is news that has emerged that the Malaysian "Advisor to the Crown" of the Sulu Sultanate is actually from Najib's Umno party - UMNO Youth exco member Lokman Noor Adam.

Adding to the murkiness is the unwitting revelation from AirAsia boss Tony Fernandes that his planes were transporting military personnel to Sabah. "Flights are rearranged today as we are helping the army transfer staff to East Malaysia. Pls be patient," the prominent tycoon twitted last night. As mentioned please be patient with some flight arrangements on flights as we are helping the army," Tony had boasted.

Why were soldiers transported to a conflict site using commercial passenger planes instead of military aircraft? Why the stealth, was the Najib administration trying to hide the logistics and for what purpose? So far, none of the Malaysian officials have come out to clarify or to explain.

'Culmination' of Dr M's Project IC?

It does not help that perhaps the root of the problem in maintaining security in Sabah, which has a vast land-locked border, is an immigration policy that is just as porous.

Analysts have in the past few days come out to slam former premier Mahathir Mohamad for having offered citizenship to hundreds of thousand of illegal immigrants - mostly of Indonesian and Filipino descent - in exchange for them agreeing to vote for his party at elections.

It is estimated that at least 500,000 Sabah residents are of Filipino descent. Many have settled down to their Malaysian roots and wish for peace. However, there are still many illegals who may not take kindly to the way the Najib administration is treating their Sulu kin.

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