Malaysia frees 42 of 116 suspected Kiram followers — report

At least 42 of 116 people detained on suspicion of having links to Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III and his followers have been released, a Malaysian police official was quoted as saying on Tuesday. This developed as Malaysian police said they are tracking some personalities in Sabah who are allegedly sending money to suspected Kiram followers in Mindanao in the Philippines. Deputy police Inspector General Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar was quoted in a report of The Star Online as saying that the 116 had been detained under the Security Offenses Act of 2012. Khalid did not immediately name those released, the report said. Malaysian forces have been going after Kiram's supporters in Sulu since March 5, following deadly clashes that began March 1. As of Tuesday, Khalid said the bodies of 29 of the slain Kiram followers have been buried, but did not specify where. A Bernama report said 42 bodies had been brought out of the operations site, including those of two children killed in a recent encounter. Sending money to Kiram followers Khalid also said they are now keeping tabs on a "small number of individuals" in Semporna and Sandakan who are allegedly sending money to suspected Kiram followers in Jolo. "We believe the money is to help the terrorists and this is betrayal to the country," he said. A separate report on Malaysia's state-run Bernama news agency quoted Khalid as saying that these individuals could be arrested for treason. He also said laws on treason can provide for life imprisonment or the death penalty upon conviction. "My advice to these individuals is to stop [sending money] as it amounted to treason. The police will not hesitate to act," he said. Gunman surrenders Meanwhile, a suspected Kiram follower surrendered to Malaysian forces Monday afternoon. Khalid said the man was "starving and hadn't had a good night's rest these past several weeks." The weakened gunman surrendered to security personnel combing through a swamp near Kampung Tanjung Batu at about 5 p.m., Khalid said. "The man was in a very poor state, he was starving and hadn't had a good night's rest these past several weeks," he said, adding that he hoped remaining gunmen would also surrender soon. — KBK, GMA News