Mahathir denies country had trained MNLF fighters
Malaysia’s long-time premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad has denied that the country had trained Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) fighters.
Malaysia’s long-time premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad has denied that the country had trained Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) fighters.
“We have never trained them, they are only making such claims,” he said.
Mahathir (
centre in photo
) was quizzed on whether Malaysia had trained MNLF personnel, who
may rush to the aid
of the intruders in Lahad Datu who are backed by the Sulu sultan.
On concern that the violence may escalate as there are many foreigners in Sabah, Mahathir seemed to defend his ‘Project IC’.
“We have always attracted people who migrate to Malaysia and become our citizens. We don’t know which ones will be loyal or not.
“But we accept them as our citizens, and although they may act against the country, most of them are loyal people. We can’t take action against everybody who may not be against the country,” he said.
To questions whether the attack by the Malaysian forces today will have an impact on BN’s chances in the impending elections which have to be called soon, he said, “We do not know what would be the reaction of the Sabah people.”
He said most of them wanted safety, and with the action taken by the government today to send in the army and police to take care of the people, it may be positive for BN.
However, he warned that there might be those who felt there are no benefits in the action taken by the government.
“Maybe some will say we were late to take action, some will say we are swift. So we do not know what is right and what is wrong.”
He admitted that this is a complex situation as “we cannot attack like that as this involves the residents there, and thus if we attack swiftly the people will become the victims”.
“Hence we need to tread cautiously and not do something which results in loss of lives. However, these terrorist are violent and it is not enough that they killed our security forces but they resorted to beheading and removing the eyes of the victims.
“This is against Islamic practise, and they are fighting against those who are also Muslims,” he said.
'Malaysia could also claim from other countries'
Asked on claims made by the Sulu sultan asking the Philippines to bring the dispute to the International Court of Justice, he said, “If we want to, Malaysia could also claim from other countries and this would create conflicts.”
“We have accepted what we achieved when we gained independence, and we have continued paying to the Sulu sultan’s descendants. In fact the Sulu sultanate is no more as they were conquered by the Spanish and for them to take action as if they were an independent country is wrong and such actions are improper.”
He said the intruders came into the country with arms and this is an offence in itself, and if there are any armed group who land on our coastline, we are entitled to take action.
Mahathir said Malaysia may have reacted slowly but we only reacted after Malaysia’s security forces were attacked.
He admitted that this is a new problem as this had not been seen before, as we are used to fighting guerrilla warfare with the communists, but the intruders acted badly when they used innocent people as their shields.
On whether the opposition may criticise the attack, Mahathir asked when has the opposition ever said good things about the government.
Asked whether there were political pressures which saw the probability of a delayed action by the ministers, Mahathir replied he has not heard of this.
He had earlier launched the World Cup Asia Paintball logo at a hotel in Kuala Lumpur. The event is scheduled to be held in Langkawi in November.
Related stories
IGP: Security forces on careful hunt for enemies
Nazri: Kg Tanduo incident an intrusion, not a war LIVE REPORTS
Doubts emerge over military assault on invaders
Protests in Manila, Najib's photo burnt
Sulu rep claims Azzimuddie is 'alive and kicking'
F/A-18 and Hawk fighters bomb Kg Tanduo
PM backs massive ops against intruders
IGP: Our forces face resistance from intruders
Sulu intruders will face murder charges
Sultan Jamalul says his people will 'fight to last man'
Fears linger in Semporna although fighting is over
Sabahans petition to 'remain Malaysians'
Tighter security in red zones, Lahad Datu town calm
'M'sian-trained' Moro fighters to aid Sulu invaders
'No evidence Moro fighters will also attack Sabah'
Between a fluid region and a hard state
Suspicions over Arroyo's hand in Sabah standoff
Selangor to set up RM10mil fund for slain cops
'Semporna safe, no guns fired last night'
Are you sure you want to delete this comment?
This action cannot be undone.