Sulu sultanate’s troops, Malaysian forces clash anew

MANILA, Philippines - Some 400 fighters and volunteers in the security force of the Sultanate of Sulu clashed anew with Malaysian security forces in Lahad Datu, Sabah on Monday.

Sultanate spokesman Abaraham Idjirani said Agbimuddin Kiram, the brother of Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III, relayed the information to him that his forces have engaged in new clashes with Malaysian forces in Kampung Dengan Tungku.

Agbimuddin said his forces were moving through Dengan Tungku at about 1 p.m. when they encountered the Malaysian troops.

“There was a rather long exchange of fire. The (troops) later were forced back into their base in Lahad Datu,” Idjirani said, adding they did not sustain any casualty during the firefight. There was no information about casualties on the Malaysian side.

“The size of the sultanate’s force involved in the fight would also give you an idea how large was the Malaysian force they had encountered. This only shows that Malaysia is really bent on not giving up its hold on Sabah,” Idjirani said.

Idjirani added the clash in Dengan Tungku was also confirmed by Hajib Mujaha Hashim, chairman of the Moro National Liberation Front’s Islamic Command Council.

Meanwhile, the Sultanate of Sulu met with representatives of the Bayan Muna party-list led by Satur Ocampo to tap the party’s help in pushing for the Sabah issue at the House of Representatives.

Idjirani said the Sulu sultanate handed over to Ocampo several legal and historical documents detailing its claim over Sabah.

“We handed these documents for them to study.  Ka Satur has promised that the Sabah issue will be pushed by Bayan Muna and seven other allied representatives at the House of Representatives,” Idjirani said.