Sulu gunmen: I would have shot them with my shotgun - MP

Barisan Nasional MPs have taken the federal government to task today over its protracted actions against the Lahad Datu intruders.

The Sabah lawmakers repeatedly asked the Home Ministry to explain why there was a need to negotiate with the armed men.

Kalabakan MP Datuk Seri Abdul Ghapur Salleh asked deputy minister Datuk Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar whether he would have negotiated with the armed men if they entered his house.

"I would have shot them with my shotgun," he said during the question-and- answer time in the Dewan Rakyat this morning.

Kinabatangan MP Datuk Bung Mokhtar Radin also grilled the ministry for the time taken by the government to act.

"The first question is, why did it take so long for the Malaysian government to determine what was their intention?

"How come we did not know what were their intentions when they had come with weapons? Do you want the state to be in ruins before taking any action?" he asked.

Wan Junaidi earlier told the House that currently 30 have been charged for waging war against the Yang di-Pertuan Agong with four Malaysians, one permanent residence and 25 foreigners.

Wan Junaidi also explained that the government did not know the intruders were armed until the police were attacked resulting in the death of two officers.

He also said the government had to be careful because it involved nationals from neighbouring country and negotiated based on the spirit of Asean.

"I know the government has taken certain steps, certain procedures and undertaken research… we are confident that Sabah feels safe with the steps we have taken,” he said.

The Sulu terrorists, numbering around 250, led by self-proclaimed Sulu crown prince Agimudie Kiram landed in Sabah on Feb 2, to lay claim to the state.

- FZ.com