Despite the deadline given to Filipino intruders in Lahad Datu to get out of Sabah, Sulu sultan Jamalul Kiram’s brother Agbimuddin Kiram, who is leading the armed group, is adamant that they will stay on to pursue their claim to the state.

“This is do or die,” Agbimuddin told Philippines radio station Radyo Inquirer 990AM this morning.

“I believe we are right (and) this place belongs to us. We will stay."

NONE Although Manila had sent a vessel last night to take the group home, Agbimuddin insisted that the sultanate’s ‘Royal Security Force’ would not leave Tanduao village in Lahad Datu “until the issue is resolved”.

The ship is scheduled to reach the offshore area of Lahad Datu by today.

The Filipinos have been holed up in a small coastal area of Lahad Datu district, where they have remained surrounded by security forces since Feb 12.

They want to settle in the state, which used to be a part of the Sultanate of Sulu.

Malaysia’s Foreign Affairs Minister Anifah Aman was reported as saying that the deadline was yesterday, although the Philippine government requested an extension after the initial deadline expired on Feb 22.

'Where's the priority, Najib?'

The enduring stand-off has prompted opposition MPs in Malaysia to demand more information from the government.

NONE Puchong DAP MP Gobind Singh Deo (left) urged Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak to convene a special sitting of Parliament to explain the nature of the problem.

"Despite the serious nature of the problem, there is little reporting about it and almost no information given to us by the government,"he said in a statement today.

"In fact, the prime minister was yesterday quoted as saying that he will not hold the election until his transformation policies succeed.

"This is strange. We are under attack, with armed soldiers in Sabah and our prime minister talks about elections and his transformation policies. How does a country dissolve Parliament in the midst of attack?"

Gobind Singh stressed that attention to a security breach should take priority over Najib's transformation plans.

"It is absurd to find a prime minister speaking about the need to delay polls because of focus on economic transformation plans, while he is totally silent on Sabah.

"The prime minister must tell us what is happening and why our forces have held back in taking action in Sabah. He should give this matter top priority."