Death penalty for Lahad Datu intruders justified, says Azalina

 

Law and institutional reform minister Azalina Othman Said said the demands of the group were unfounded. (Facebook pic)

PUTRAJAYA: 

The Federal Court’s decision to uphold the death sentence for seven Filipino nationals is just, given the cruelty and violence they inflicted on Malaysia’s security forces during the 2013 Lahad Datu incursion in Kampung Tanduo, says law and institutional reform minister Azalina Othman Said.

She said the ruling was also a positive step for the country.

“These individuals are considered traitors by Malaysia, and their actions led to numerous incidents where our personnel became victims.

To me, what they were demanding was part of a terrorist movement. Their demands were unfounded, especially after Sabah became part of Malaysia,

 she told the media after attending a special screening of the film 

Takluk: Lahad Datu

 here.

The Federal Court today upheld the death sentences for the seven Filipino men, including the nephew of self-proclaimed Sultan of Sulu, Jamalul Kiram, for waging war against the Yang di-Pertuan Agong during the Lahad Datu incursion 11 years ago.

The seven men are Datu Amirbahar Hushin Kiram, 60, the nephew of Jamalul Kiram; Atik Hussin Abu Bakar, 52; Basad H Manuel, 49; Virgilio Nemar Patulada, 59; Al Wazir Osman, 68; Tani Lahad Dahi, 70; and Julham Rashid, 75.

Nine Malaysian security personnel were killed during the armed incursion, which took place between Feb 12 and April 10, 2013.

On July 26, 2016, the Kota Kinabalu High Court sentenced the seven men to life imprisonment after they were found guilty under Section 121 of the Penal Code.

However, on June 8, 2017, the Court of Appeal imposed the death penalty after allowing the prosecution’s appeal.

When asked about the progress of investigations into local collaborators and 

traitors

 who supported the Sulu group’s claims over Sabah, Azalina declined to comment further as the French Supreme Court is set to give its ruling next month.

We will conclude the international court (Supreme Court) first. God willing, after all of this is resolved, we will make a statement,

 she said.

On June 24, Azalina said the government was identifying the masterminds and 

traitors

 among Malaysians who aided and supported the Sulu group in making their claims over Sabah.

This move followed information that these individuals acted as instigators and informants for the group. - FMT