Gunmen carried machine guns like we carry handphones - Zahid

BAGAN DATOH- The Sulu armed intruders in Lahad Datu, Sabah are mercenaries.

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the Philippines government had received similar information that the men led by Azzimudie@Agbimudin Kiram, were being paid to carry out attacks.

"I had met with the Filipino Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario and Department of National Defense Secretary Voltaire T Gazmin, who said they received similar feedback," he said after giving out Pingat Jasa Malaysia to 50 armed forces veterans here today

Ahmad Zahid said the armed intruders were used to carrying weapons and never left their houses without being armed.

"They carry machine guns like we carry hand phones," he said.

He added that a third party was involved in instigating the Sabah attacks although the identity of those responsible had yet to be determined.

"They could be from either one, or both Malaysia and the Philippines," he said.

Ahmad Zahid also refuted allegations that the country was involved in an assassination plot against the self-proclaimed Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III, the elder brother of Agbimudin.

"Our commandos were not sent to the Phillipines to assasinate him and we have no plans to do so.

"We are not as wicked as him to commit killings after intruding into another country," he said.

Ahmad Zahid also attested the claim that Agbimudin was a Malaysian citizen who had worked as a civil servant in Sabah.

He said Agbimudin was an assistant district officer in Kudat under the administration of Sabah chief Minister Tun Datu Mustapha Datu Harun.

Mustapha was chief minister between 1967 and 1975.

"He was given Malaysian citizenship during Tun Mustapha's time.

"However, I can't say whether he is still a Malaysian citizen now," he told reporters.

- New Straits Times