A new threat – Knights of the Right Keepers

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  Filipino evacuees fleeing Sabah. It is rather loosely protected by security forces as there are numerous routes of access into the region.

 

THE kidnappings in Sabah, where two Malaysians were abducted last November, is primarily a criminal act orchestrated by the Darul Islam Sabah and the Abu Sayaaf Group (ASG). The ASG has been known for its kidnap-for–ransom attempts since in existence.

 

However, a group called the Knights of the Right Keepers, which is an organisation set up by indigenous Filipinos residing in Sabah for the welfare of their people living there, could also be culpable.

 

The organisation may be involved in the kidnappings of the two Malaysians. It may be a front organisation for terrorist groups operating in Sabah.

 

The origin of this organisation is the Western Mindanao University in Zamboanga City, the Philippines. It was founded in 1970 by university students as a "fraternity" and "sorority" group. Why and how this organisation came into force in Sabah is still unclear.  

 

The organisation supposedly remains as a "support" structure for Pinoys living in Sabah. It is literally unknown and operates very secretively within the Pinoy community in Sabah.

 

Darul Islam Sabah (DIS) is a Malaysian terrorist group operating in Sabah and originating from Indonesia. This group is linked to Jemaah Islamiyah and Al Qaeda operating in the Southeast Asia region. 

 

The Darul Islam Sabah may have close links to the Knights of the Right Keepers as well as confirmed relations with regional terrorist groups. DIS most probably has worked with the ASG in the kidnappings.

 

The cause of the kidnappings was based on a business-cum-labour issue and a ransom that was demanded by the group which however was not paid. 

 

Sources provided earlier stated that the abductors may have worked with the Southern Philippines insurgent groups such as the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and  Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) to safeguard their hostage.

 

My previous article on on the kidnappings relating to the Abu Sayyaf clearly shows why the ASG may have carried out the operations. The reason was to acquire funds for sustaining their operations. 

 

This however does not mean that the group is not active in its terror operations. The Abu Sayaaf group is still the most feared terrorist group operating in the Southern Philippines.

 

The MILF however has not been considered as abductors at press time. The abduction is considered a criminal act and not a terrorist act. The labour force issues are widely common in Sabah, as a number of the labour provided to the agricultural sector are by descendants of Southern Philippines and illegal immigrants who still hold allegiance to the Philippines.

 

The Sabah region of East Malaysia is rather loosely protected by security forces as there are numerous routes of access into the region and the vast area is hard to control. The Eastern Sabah Security Control (ESSCOM) will cover the eastern waters of Sabah.

 

The new establishment will strengthen the maritime security in the eastern part of Sabah following an invasion crisis in Lahad Datu and to also prevent terrorist activities in the waters surrounding Sabah. Its effectiveness is yet to be proven and it will go through some teething problems before it will be fully operational without any hitches.

 

Incidents such as piracy, illegal immigrants and maritime threats from terrorist operatives as well as transnational crimes have made it impossible for security forces to contain them effectively. Political disputes on sovereignty issues and potential flash points, make it even more difficult to manage.

 

Sources state ASG operatives are in Sabah and hence this will be considered a serious national security threat. They also indicate that there is evidence of ASG operatives in Malaysia with legitimate identification documents.

 

The Knights of the Right Keepers operating in Sabah needs to be investigated further to see if this organisation is currently active and what its true nature is. 

 

We need to be vigilant on organisations that prompt out from unknown whereabouts. The authorities encountering groups such as these and recently the "cult" group that supposedly wanted to overthrow the King must be monitored.

 

In the near future, groups such as these will emerge as a new front for terrorist activities. The fronts can act as a support structure to existing and new groups. Authorities can be disillusioned by these groups as they are legitimately operating for causes that cannot directly be identified as terrorist operations. 

 

Many new groups will emerge in Southeast Asia in the near future making it harder for law enforcement to track.

 

 

Andrin Raj is the Southeast Asia Regional Director for the International Association for Counterterrorism and Security Professional-Centre for Security Studies, Kuala Lumpur and a Certified Counter Terrorist Specialist  His views does not reflect that of the IACSP-CSS and fz.com. Email him atandrin.raj@stratad.net

-fz.com