Sultan’s wife: Sabah situation now in Malaysian hands

The wife of Sultan Jamalul Kiram III on Monday said it is now up to the Malaysian government to defuse the tension in Sabah and stop the fighting from further escalating. 

Speaking to reporters, Cecilia Kiram said the situation in Sabah has worsened as Tausugs living in the territory have began attacking Malaysians who have been rounding up and deporting undocumented Tausugs back to Mindanao since Saturday.

“The solution to end bloodshed? The ball is now in the hands of the Malaysians. We have given them letters asking for a peaceful negotiation. But they wouldn’t listen. All they want is for us to either go home or surrender. It seemed all they want is to crush the forces of the Sultanate,” she said.

 She added that “surrender” has no meaning to the Tausug warriors, to whom fighting has become a way of life.

“We do not know what will happen next. So far, hindi po nila makaya ang ating mga Tausug warriors. We heard ‘yung pwersa ng Malaysia ay hindi kayang labanan ang ating mga tao on the ground. Hindi nila kaya ang tactical moves na ginagawa ng ating mga tao. Sanay sila sa laban, 400 years na sila lumalaban, e,” she said.

“Mas sanay sila sa giyera. Ang gamit nga lang nila bolo against guns. Would you believe that?” she added.

Meanwhile, the Sultan’s wife added that the United Nations should now intervene and broker a negotiation between the Malaysian government and the Sultanate of Sulu and North Borneo.

She said Tausugs and other Filipinos living in Sabah have struck against the Malaysians over the harassment they have been enduring.

While asking their sympathizers in Sabah to remain calm, Mrs. Kiram said they have all the right to defend themselves against the atrocities of the Malaysians.

“I am appealing to our fellow Tausugs and Filipinos in Sabah not to add further to the violence. Let’s be calm unless otherwise their lives are at risk,” she said. 

“May utos din po ang Diyos na kung kayo ay inaapi na na wala sa lugar, meron kayong karapatan i-defend ito. Pero as much as possible, ‘wag kayo ang  mag-umpisa, for the sake of peace. At ipakita natin sa buong mundo na tayo sa sultanato ng Sulu ayaw natin ng giyera, ayaw natin ng kaguluhan. Tayo ay mga peace-loving people,” Mrs. Kiram said.