Fresh clashes erupt between sultan followers, Malaysia

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines  - Pockets of skirmishes have erupted as Malaysian security forces attacked Wednesday the Royal Security Forces (RSF) and volunteers of the Sulu sultanate in several areas in Sabah, according to an official of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).

Habib Mujahab Hashim, MNLF’s Islamic Command Council (ICC) chairman, disclosed that the fighting sparked as some 1,600 “volunteers” who sneaked into Sabah have already joined the RSF led by Agbimuddin Kiram.

Agbimuddin, the younger brother of Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III, has led some 200 members of the RSF since February to stake a claim on Sabah.

Hashim said Wednesday morning skirmishes took place in the outskirts of Lahad Datu as the Malaysian security forces continued  to carry out Ops Daulat (Operation Sovereignty) against the followers of the Sulu sultanate.

Hashim, also sitting as the chairman of the Royal Council of Sharifs of the Sulu Sultanate, said skirmishes have been continuing in some areas of Sempurna even as Malaysia is set to hold general elections on May 5.

“The fighting is initiated by the Malaysian security forces because of their ongoing Ops Daulat,” Hashim said.

“The fighting is taking place because the Malaysian security forces were attacking the RSF members of Raja Muda Agbimuddin who are always on the defensive stance,” Hashim said.

“The royal security forces [are using] guerrilla tactics which appeared to be effective,” Hashim added.

He said there has been no reports yet of casualty in the fresh fighting.

Hashim said those who reinforced Agbimuddin’s forces as volunteers, adding that some MNLF members have been supportive of the Sulu sultanate.

“But our position in the MNLF  is we don’t encourage them. However, we can not prevent them. They sneaked into Sabah to join the RSF,” Hashim said.

According to Hashim, the MNLF is supporting a  peaceful resolution to  the crisis in Sabah.