Malaysian police arrest close relative of Sulu sultan - report

MANILA, Philippines - A close relative of Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III has been arrested by the Malaysian police, an online Malaysian news website has reported.

The Star Online report said that the Malaysian police have yet to identify the arrested relative of the Sulu sultan.

Malaysian forces continue to hunt down members of the Kiram family, particularly Raja Muda Agbimuddin Kiram, who arrived with more than 200 members of the sultanate's army in Lahad Datu last February 11.

Agbimuddin is the younger brother of the Sulu sultan, who is living in Maharlika Village in Taguig City.

The report said that aside from Agbimuddin, Jamalul has another brother who is living in Lahad Datu and has recently moved to Semporna.

It added that Jamalul's second brother was involved in early negotiations between their clan and the Malaysian government and has disappeared since.

"It is not known if he was the one detained as the Kiram family has many relatives living in various parts of Sabah," the report said, adding that Malaysian police are also looking for a cousin of the three Kiram brothers.

The report said that the Malaysian police are looking for at least 20 key personalities linked with the Sultanate of Sulu.

Earlier reports said that more than 30 supporters of the sultanate have been arrested in the ongoing operations of the Malaysian police in Sabah.

The Malaysian police had also reported that more than 60 supporters of the sultanate have been killed by its commandos during past operations.