Anwar pours scorn on gov't handling of Sabah crisis

Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim has blasted at the BN government for not being swift, competent and firm in handling the intrusion into Lahad Datu.

The Permatang Pauh MP said the arms heist in Sauk , Perak, in 2000 involving the Al-Ma'unah, was resolved in four days but the Lahad Datu occupation by foreign intruders went on for 23 days before yesterday's attack.

"There are a lot of questions raised following the incident, although I commend the army for acting swiftly in moving on the militants.

"The failure is in the (BN) leadership. Where were the statements; what were the instructions, why the need to wait for 23 days?

“It is pathetic that you have a national security problem and have Umno leaders trying to deflect, the slow reaction of the PM,  the defence and home ministers in responding by casting aspersions on us,” he said of the BN's attempt to tie the attack to him.

This followed photographs appearing in the mainstream media of Anwar having discussion with Moro National Liberation Front leader Nur Misuari.

To this, Anwar said Nur Misuari was not involved (in organising) the attack.

“He (Nur Misuari, right) has met with various leaders. including the prime minister and myself.

"We will continue to pray for peace not only in Lahad Datu but also Sabah," Anwar said.

However, the PKR de facto leader noted that this clampdown by the police and army was not a war against the Sulu people of Sabah, but to ensure the safety and security of the people of Sabah as a whole.

He said Malaysia could not condone the presence of militants in the country for so long.

“When we in Pakatan take over, we will not tolerate, nor condone, any military exercise that will undermine or compromise the security of the nation,” he pledged.

Lack of information

Anwar pointed out that there has been a lack of information about the armed insurgency in the local media, compared with the media in the Philippines which is much freer.

“There is more coming from Manila, than out of Malaysia or Lahad Datu. This is disconcerting, causing a lot of anguish and concern among Sabahans over their security. It is the duty (of the government) to protect and defend our own land and security,” he said.

“That is why we need the emergency session of Parliament to galvanise the support of all Malaysians, regardless of their political affiliation.

“We want the prime minister, defence minister and home affairs minister to engage in a roundtable discussion with the legislators, and it can be held within closed doors,” he said.

Anwar also praised the security forces for their swift action. Pakatan, he added, had earlier made the call for the army to go in, and to leave the matter to them to handle with their expertise.

“I have to emphasise that this is not a war against Sulu. We have to be swift and tough against the armed insurgents,” he said, adding that although the attack was launched yesterday, many things were left unanswered, including whether there were negotiations before this.

Asked whether he would expect repercussions from yesterday's Malaysian attack, he said, “We pray there will not be, for this is not a war against the Sulu people. If they are Malaysians, they are our citizens and if they are Filipinos, we should respect them.”

Manila visit by Tian Chua and Sivarasa

Asked about the visit to Manila on Feb 7 by Batu MP Tian Chua and Subang MP Sivarasa Rasiah, Anwar said it was to ascertain Manuel Amalilio's status, after allegations surfaced that Amalilio was under the protection of Sabah Chief Minister Musa Aman.

“They went there to get to know the situation as 15,000 people, mostly Muslims, have been cheated. Siva and Tian Chua went there to gather information to determine the authenticity of the complaint, since Amalilio has two passports.

“They have ascertained that there indeed is a cheating case against him and the Philippine authorities want Amalilio handed over them over the case. Siva and Tian Chua briefed me on this,” Anwar said.

Some Umno bloggers have claimed that the visit by the two MPs was to meet with America's Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) or Moro militant Nur Misuari or agents of the Sultan Jamalul Karim, the self-proclaimed ruler of the Sulu sultanate.

Tian Chua, who is also a PKR vice-president and Sivarasa have maintained that they met with two Filipino lawmakers on the Amalilio matter.