Tawi-Tawi cops searching for signs of Sultan's brother Raja Muda Azzimudie Kiram

Published March 16, 2013 11:20am

The police in Tawi-Tawi are now searching areas in the province for signs of Raja Muda Azzimudie Kiram, the brother of Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III, who Malaysian authorities claimed had abandoned his men and fled Sabah.

Tawi-Tawi police chief Senior Superintendent Joey Salido said the province is a big area with many small islands, radio dzBB reported early Saturday.

As of early Saturday morning, the dzBB report said Tawi-Tawi police had yet to find traces of Raja Muda Azzimudie Kiram.

Even Azzimudie's wife Nurkisa said she has not heard of any report that Azzimudie has returned, the report added.

On Saturday, Malaysia's The Star online quoted Armed Forces Chief Tan Sri Zulkifeli Mohd Zin as saying Azimuddie Kiram had fled Sabah and headed to Mindanao.

The article on the Star Online indicated Azzimudie "may be in" Tawi-Tawi.

It said Zulkifeli based his statement on security forces' conclusions, "after vetting through various information."

“Azimuddie has abandoned his men and fled to his homeland,” he said.

Police Inspector-General Tan Sri Ismail Omar similarly cited feedback from security forces' ground commanders showing Azimuddin was no longer with his men.

Malaysian security forces had conducted offensive operations against Kiram and his men since March 5, following deadly clashes that started March 1. - VVP, GMA News

Tags: tawitawi, sulu, sabah, kiram