Sultan's brother loses 2 men who took bullet for him, Kiram camp claims

The forces of Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III in Sabah lost two more men who were gunned down while protecting the sultan's brother Raja Muda Azzimudie Kiram earlier this week.

 

Sultanate spokesman Abraham Idjirani said Thursday they expect to learn soon the identities of the two, who he called heroes and martyrs, radio dzBB's Sam Nielsen reported.

 

Idjirani said the two were members of the Royal Security Force who were with Azzimudie, who is on the run from offensive operations by Malaysian security forces.

 

Citing initial information reaching the sultanate, he said the two saw Malaysian forces taking aim at Azzimudie, and got in the way of the shots, taking the bullets meant for the sultan's brother. The media and Philippine diplomatic officials have been barred from the conflict areas in Lahad Datu district so there is no way to verify such incidents. Armed followers

 

The report quoted Idjirani as saying that with the deaths, the number of Azzimudie's armed followers in Sabah is now down to 166. The Malaysian government puts the number at less than 60.

 

Malaysian forces continues to track down armed Kiram followers led by Azzimudie amid offensive operations that started March 5.

 

The offensives stemmed from deadly clashes last March 1 and 2.

 

Before that, the Malaysian forces and Kiram's followers had engaged in a two-week standoff.

 

Malaysia: Kiram followers given enough chances to resolve row

 

Kiram's followers in Sabah had been given enough opportunities to peacefully resolve their standoff with Malaysian security forces in Sabah, the head of Malaysia's Armed Forces said Wednesday.

 

Armed Forces Chief Gen. Tan Sri Zulkifeli Mohd Zin said they were forced to take action when Kiram's followers threatened the country's peace, security and sovereignty, according to a report on state-run Bernama news agency.

 

"That (peaceful end) was our hope but there was no sign of a peaceful resolution... so, the government was forced to take the necessary action," the Bernama report quoted Zulkifeli as saying.

 

He said the government took some time before taking action against Kiram's followers, because Malaysia "appreciates harmony" and "promotes negotiation."

 

Zulkifeli was also quoted in the Bernama report as saying Malaysia's peace-loving nature was shown in its acting as facilitator of peace efforts between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

 

"As a country which appreciates peace and harmony, our policy promotes negotiation, and this move shows that the government does not want bloodshed," he said.

 

On Wednesday, eight of Kiram's followers now face a possible death penalty after they were charged before a makeshift Magistrate's Court. 

 

The eight followers were charged with violating two articles in Malaysia's Penal Code: Section 122 (waging war against the King); and Section 130 KA (terrorism), Malaysia's The Star Online reported.

 

While Section 130 KA (terrorism) provides for jail of up to 30 years, Section 121 (waging war against the King) can fetch the death penalty, The Star Online report said.

 

A report on state-run Bernama news agency described the eight as "males aged between 17 and 66."

 

At least 107 Kiram followers had been arrested during offensive operations by Malaysian security forces since March 5. —KG/HS, GMA News