Malaysian cops name man with alleged money links to Kiram followers

Malaysian police on Sunday named a man who they believe may have financial links to the followers of Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III. Sabah police commissioner Datuk Hamza Taib said they are looking for one Datuk Seri Muhammad Ridzwan Sulaiman from Penang, according to a report on Malaysia's The Star Online. Hamza, who showed a photo of the so-called Datuk Seri at a press conference in Felda Sahabat, said the man is from Georgetown in Penang, and is believed to be the president of Pertubuhan Kebajikan Al-Ehsan Islamiah Malaysia. The Star Online's report said Muhammad Rizdwan is believed to be in his 50s and is being sought by police over possible "money links for the financing of the Sulu intrusion." It also quoted sources who said the man "might not be a holding a Malaysian 'Datuk Seri' title but might be from the family of the self-proclaimed Sulu Sultan." Police still believe the man is still in Malaysia, with his last known address at Weld in Georgetown, the report said. It also cited sources who said several other Malaysians are also being investigated for funding the armed group. Kiram's followers entered Sabah last February and engaged Malaysian security forces in a three-week standoff until March 1, when deadly clashes broke out. — BM, GMA News