Kiram camp: Sultan's brother still alive, not yet captured

With the reported capture of a military commander of the followers of Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III, Kiram's camp announced Sunday that the sultan’s brother, Raja Muda Azzimudie (Agbimuddin) Kiram, remains alive and has yet to be captured. Sultanate spokesman Abraham Idjirani said Azzimudie last communicated with them Saturday, indicating he is still alive and not yet in Malaysian custody. “Nakausap natin kahapon pero ang pinagusapan lang namin sinasabi ko sa kanya ang pangyayari para naman at least alam niya kung ano ang pangyayari at stand ng ating gobyerno tungkol dito sa ating issue,” he said in an interview on dzBB radio. When asked if this means Azzimudie is not yet captured, Idjirani said, “yes.” Idjirani also said they have yet to confirm if the commander captured in Sabah is a member of the Kiram clan. Malaysia's New Straits Times said authorities identified the captured "military commander" as Datu Amirbahar Hushin Kiram, 50, "a member of the Kiram clan." He was captured along with wife Gina Taves Kiram, 47, in a swampy area in Kampung Sri Melor Bugaya, Semporna, after police acted on a tip about their whereabouts, the report said. “I cannot confirm that. Wala kaming nare-receive na information na ganyan,” Idjirani said. — BM, GMA News