Fighting in Sabah continues

MANILA, Philippines - Malaysian security forces have attacked the positions of the Sulu Sultanate’s Royal Security Force (RSF) in Lahad Datu over the weekend, Abraham Idjirani, the sultanate’s spokesman said Monday.

Idjirani said Malaysian security forces attacked the encampment of the RSF led by Raja Muda Agbimuddin Kiram in Tanjung Batu on the afternoon of April 6, and again the on following morning.

“According to the Raja Muda, no one among them was hurt. It was the Malaysians who attacked,” Idjirani said.

Idjirani said despite the attacks the RSF remains in a defensive posture.

Last Saturday, Idjirani said Agbimuddin reported on the alleged presence of Indonesian military observers in Lahad Datu.

In a phone call, Raja Muda Kiram informed Idjirani that the alleged Indonesian observers took photographs and measurements of the craters left by bombs dropped by Malaysian planes on RSF forces in the villages of Tanduo and Kampung Tanjung Batu in Lahad Datu.

Idjirani said the “observation” could be part of a bid by Indonesia to pressure Malaysia into ending the standoff.

“It could be because of Indonesia’s presence in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Indonesia could now be pressuring Malaysia to end the standoff,” Idjirani said.

Idjirani added that the RSF forces under the command of Raja Muda Kiram has swelled from 135 to almost 500 with the addition of an augmentation force from Sulu, Basilan and Tawi Tawi who managed to evade the Philippine Navy’s patrols.

“According to the Raja Muda, the augmentation force is almost 85 percent armed,” Idjirani said.

Idjirani earlier said the RSF fighters have regrouped in Lahad Datu in Sabah but were plagued with a lack of food and clean drinking water.

According to Idjirani, the RSF force in Sabah remains to be mobile in Lahad Datu as they evade the pursuing Malaysian security forces.

“The RSF is now protecting the Raja Muda. They do not want him to engage in combat as he plots their way around Lahad Datu,” said Idjirani.

The forces of the RSF are still engaged in a standoff with Malaysian security forces since they entered Sabah in February.