Pakatan calls for Parliament session on Sabah standoff
Pakatan Rakyat leaders are calling for a special parliamentary sitting to discuss the recent security incidents in east Sabah, coalition leader Anwar Ibrahim said today.
VIDEO | 3.24 mins Pakatan calls for Parliament session on Sabah standoff
VIDEO | 2.29 mins Anwar gives Utusan, TV3 24-hour ultimatum to retract Sabah stand-off allegations
Pakatan Rakyat leaders are calling for a special parliamentary sitting to discuss the recent security incidents in east Sabah, PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim said today.
In addition, Pakatan leaders want a roundtable discussion with the government “in an effort to reach an understanding on the issue”.
“While we are convinced that national security transcends political divides and all citizens must support the security forces’ efforts, it does not abrogate the federal leadership for its lax treatment of the whole affair,” Anwar added.
He said the decision to call for the parliamentary sitting was made earlier today, and a letter is being prepared to inform Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and Parliament Speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia of it.
Anwar was speaking at a joint press conference with DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang and PAS secretary-general Mustafa Ali at the PKR headquarters today.
'Gov't failed to disburse accurate information fast'
While expressing confidence in the abilities of the security forces, the opposition leaders criticised the government for failing to present a clear plan to overcome the violations of Malaysia’s sovereignty and for failing to pass accurate information quickly, thus allowing rumours to run rife.
Lim (
left
), who claims to have been in Lahad Datu speaking to the reporters at the scene, quoted one such rumour, saying, “There is no political will to resolve this. Uniformed personnel (are) frustrated with top Kuala Lumpur decisions”.
He commented that the intrusion by the militants from the Sulu sultanate, which is in 23rd day, should not have dragged on for so long and the opposition leaders “have full confidence in the security forces to resolve this problem, if they have the fullest power to do so”.
In the meantime, the Pakatan Rakyat leaders appealed for calm and urged the people not to take reckless measures that could endanger fellow citizens.
Earlier today, PAS vice-president Muhfuz Omar had made a similar call for a parliament sitting to discuss the issue of Sabah’s security.
A group of more than 100 intruders, claiming to be from the armed forces of the now-defunct Sulu sultanate, had landed in Kampung Tanduo, Lahad Datu, on Feb 9, triggering a standoff with security forces starting Feb 13.
At least eight police officers and 19 Sulu intruders have died so far in clashes around Kampung Tanduo and Semporna, while an armed group is believed to have landed in Kunak.
24-hour ultimatum
Meanwhile, the three opposition leaders also denounced allegations that Anwar is behind the intrusion, saying that Najib’s call to investigate Anwar is an attempt to “distract the people from his own failures in this security situation.”
Asked about allegations that Anwar had met former Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) leader Nur Misuari several months ago and instigated the Sulu sultanate’s incursions, the Permatang Puah MP replied, “Nur Misuari met many leaders and I met him last year, but this group is not Misuari’s but the Sulu sultan’s.”
Nur Misuari had also been quoted in the Philippine media condemning the Sulu sultanate’s move and offering to mediate peace talks.
In a separate press conference earlier today, PKR vice-president N Surendran and legal bureau chief Latheefa Koya announced that they have issued a 24-hour ultimatum to TV station TV3 and Malay-language daily Utusan Malaysia to retract and apologise for their reports implicating Anwar in the security incidents.
Surendran and Latheefa said letters of demand were faxed to the two media outlets at 9.30am today.
If there are no favourable responses from TV3 and Utusan , they would initiate legal proceedings as Anwar’s counsel to sue the publications RM100 million each for defamation.
Although the two publications quoted Philippine newspaper The Philippine Inquirer in their reports, Anwar said there would be no legal proceedings against The Philippine Inquirer because the person implicated in its report was “one member of the Malaysian political opposition allied with Anwar (who) was running for a post in Sabah”, rather than he himself.
Guan Eng: Show proof of Anwar's involvement
Meanwhile in Penang, Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng ( below ) backed the called for an emergency Parliamentary sitting, expressing grave concern over villagers fleeing for their own personal safety.
He expressed “regret and sadness” to see such a disaster where Malaysians must leave their homes due to threats by foreigners, saying security forces must immediately contain the situation.
“We feel and worry about the incidents because Sabahans are also Malaysians. It is very important that this national crisis be resolved by the army and discussed in the emergency meeting in the House,” he said at a press conference.
“We want Sabahans to know they are not alone but Malaysians are with them in solidarity,” he added.
Lim also said he was not happy with Najib’s accusation of Anwar’s possible involvement behind the intrusion.
“This is a serious allegation. To ensure this is not a political play or slander, let’s have the emergency session where proof can be shown,” he said.
Lim also called on Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein to explain why he had issued a “false statement” about the intruders, saying there were senior citizens who only wore sarongs and slippers and did not have heavy equipment on them.
“He must explain why he gave us a false statement on the intruders”.
On whether the state government will extend the same gesture of handing over RM30,000 to the two commandos who died earlier to the other six, Lim said he was looking into the matter.
“Let us find out who are the six and we will decide,” added the DAP secretary-general.
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