Internal investigations carried out by the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) concludes that there is possibility that the ‘Sultanate’of Sulu had received "help and support" from unidentified parties for its Sabah intrusion.

Its chairperson Muslimin Sema said this conclusion was also derived from the knowledge that the sultanate did not have the capacity and means to execute such a daring military operation.

"We conclude there is a possibility that some kind of assurances or support were given to the Sulu Sultanate for its (military) expedition to Sabah (Lahad Datu and Semporna).

"The Sulu Sultanate does not have the capacity to carry out its intrusion into Sabah without (getting) assurances from some 'quarters'," he told Bernama in a telephone interview from Cotabato City, Mindanao, in southern Philippines today.

NONE Asked on the identities of the people who could be assisting the Sulu Sultanate in the Sabah intrusion, Muslimin said their investigation did not reveal any "name or face".

A month ago, the so-called Sultanate of Sulu sent armed groups led by Azzimudie Kiram, the younger brother of the self-proclaimed sultan, to Kampung Tanduo, Lahad Datu, to claim Sabah as their ancestral homeland.

Their action sparked an armed standoff with Malaysia's security forces which encircled the group, before launching air strikes and ground operations to flush them out after numerous deadlines to lay down arms passed.

‘Never heard of royal force before Sabah intrusion’

The ongoing security operation codenamed "Operasi Daulat", has until now, seen 63 armed terrorists and 10 security personnel killed.

The Philippine media and the republic's intelligence officials alleged that the terrorists were "invited" to Sabah by leaders aligned with certain Malaysian opposition parties.

Asked if the so-called Royal Sulu Force (RSF), which was alleged to have spearheaded the intrusion into Sabah existed before this, Muslimin said he had never heard of RSF before the Sabah incident.

"This is the first time I hear about the force (RSF)," he said.

According to Muslimin, the internal investigation was carried out by the MNLF secretary-general, who travelled to Tawi-Tawi and Sulu last week to shed more light on the alleged involvement of its regular and irregular forces in the Sabah intrusion.

Nur Misuari leader of MNLF The investigation found that none of its regular and irregular personnel were involved in the intrusion, said Muslimin, who is also the vice-mayor of Cotabato City.

"Most of our fighters in Tawi-Tawi are already retired and have joined the political establishment, while our fighters in Sulu are under the command of Ustaz Khabier Malik," he revealed.

Muslimin, who was also asked on Nur Misuari's ( right ) statement that he was still the leader of MNLF, said the central committee of MNLF had decided in 2008 to pick him as the front's chairperson.

- Bernama