Lahad Datu: A ‘black spot’ in 2013

The Sulu militant's attack was a wake up call for all to realise the country's vulnerability to external threats and a historical moment to remember.

Kuala Lumpur: March 1 and March 2, 2013 will forever be remembered by Malaysians as a “black spot” in the nation’s history, when the country’s sovereignty was threatened and eight heroes died in its defence.

Blood was shed in Lahad Datu and Semporna, Sabah, when a group of militants from south Philippines opened fire at the police tracking down the group who claimed to be from the Sulu Sultanate.

The Sulu militants aligned to the Jamalul Kiram III royal household landed by sea and attacked Kampung Tanduo, Lahad Datu on Feb 12 in an attempt to seize back their territory on Sabah’s east coast.

The incident claimed the lives of two Malaysian Armed Forces personnel, while 68 militants were killed while battling local security forces.

Two days after some 120 militants arrived in Kampung Tanduo, Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak was reported as saying that the Malaysian government would do their best and tackle the issue by negotiations.

Ops Daulat offensives

Malaysia had clearly been tolerant when they practised gentle negotiations with the militants who refused to leave, despite being asked to do so by Feb 26.

Three days later, on a Friday, Kampung Tanduo saw more bloodshed when a shootout between the police and militants killed two VAT 69 commandos, Insp Zulkifli Mamat and Corporal Sabaruddin Daud.

The shootout also killed 12 militants.

In an 8pm ambush at Kampung Simunul, Semporna, six policemen and eight militants were killed.

Shocked by the group’s show of violence, the PM ordered a massive offensive and the country’s security forces targeted the militants stronghold using air strikes and land offensives, codenamed Ops Daulat.

Formation of ESSCOM and ESSZONE

Realising that many Sabahans in the area were of Sulu ethnicity, Najib visited the state on March 7 to meet with community leaders and convey the message that the government did not doubt their loyalty to the country.

During a news conference in conjunction with his visit, Najib also announced the establishment of the Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) which comprises the districts of Kudat, Tawau, Kunak, Sandakan and Lahad Datu.

This was followed by the formation of the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (Esszone) as a legal foundation to Esscom.

Ops Daulat led to the arrest of individuals abetting the militant group and members who came out of hiding after the attacks.

On March 21, eight Filipinos were brought to court and they faced either the death sentence or life imprisonment for waging war on the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and for participation in the militant group.

Appreciate fallen heroes

Until then, 443 people were reported to have been arrested for entering the Ops Daulat red zone and other offences, while 173 were detained under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma).

In appreciation to the fallen heroes, the Prime Minister announced the promotion of their ranks.

Insp Zulkifli was posthumously promoted to ASP rank and Sabaruddin to Sargeant.

Six others were Supt Ibrahim Lebar to ACP, ASP Michael Anak Padel to DSP, Sargeant Abdul Aziz Sarikon to sargeant-major, Lance Corporal Mohd Azrul Tukiran to corporal, Sargeant Baharin Hamit to sargeant-major and Corporal Salam Tugiran to the rank of sargeant.

The two armed forces members who died were Private Ahmad Hurairah Ismail, 24, killed in battle and Private Ahmad Farhan Ruslan, 21, who died in a road accident, were also promoted to the rank of corporal.

The Prime Minister described the militant intrusion in Lahad Datu as not only a wake-up call for the government, but also for Malaysians, especially those in Sabah, about the importance of being ready for external threats.

– Bernama