Penang PKR has hit back at the BN, especially Umno, for pointing fingers at Anwar Ibrahim over every weakness or failure of the federal government, including the armed intrusion of a village in Lahad Datu, Sabah.

lim guan eng visit kampung batu uban 210812 mansor othman The resulting clashes between security forces and the intruders have caused 27 casualties to date, including the death of eight police officers.                            

"Government leaders should be focusing more on issues of national security than indulging in cheap political games," said Penang PKR chief Mansor Othman (right) .

            

"Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak should be directing the authorities to investigate the reason behind the sultanate's sudden decision to invade Sabah instead of calling for a probe on the opposition.

"Najib and Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein should ask themselves why they have taken so long to act against the intruders - (this began) only after three weeks and after many lives had been sacrificed.

"Quick action could have saved the lives of our patriots and prevented heartache for their families, who are now suffering deeply and who are in shock.”

NONE Anwar ( left ) had been accused by BN leaders of conspiring with the now defunct Sulu sultanate and Sultan Jamalul Kiram III to invade Sabah, allegedly promising them autonomy if Pakatan Rakyat wins Putrajaya in the next general election.

Anwar has denied the claim and suing TV3 and Umno-owned Utusan Malaysia for insinuating that he had supported the incursion into Lahad Datu.

The two media outlets had relied on a newswire report quoting a Philippine military officer as saying that the intruders had been invited by a Malaysian opposition politician to discuss land issues.

A report in the Manila Times had claimed that the intrusion is linked to a campaign by a Malaysian opposition party to give autonomy to Sabah if Pakatan wins the election.

‘Was home minister lying?’

Mansor said Hishammuddin should take the rap for the intrusion which began at a village in Lahad Datu on Feb 9 and spread to Semporna, a well-known tourist destination.

NONE On Feb 19, Hishamuddin ( right ) remarked that a group of armed men who had entered Lahad Datu were neither "militants nor terrorists", earning him the wrath of  Pakatan leaders who called for his resignation.

"Today we see that the situation is different, the opposite has happenned. What we fear has come to pass. Was Hishammuddin trying to lie to the people or hide something?" Mansor asked.

"There is a lack of clear and concise information, including the number of casualties. All sorts of rumours are flying around to confuse the public. Please give us the truth. We have the right to such information..."

Mansor backed the Pakatan call for an emergency sitting of Parliament to discuss the insurgency and to get to the bottom of the matter, adding that this would be in the interests of all Malaysians.