107 suspected Kiram supporters to face Malaysian court over Sabah row

At least 107 suspected supporters of Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III will face a Malaysian court soon over the violent clashes in Sabah in past weeks, a Malaysian news site reported on Wednesday.

 

The 107 included suspected armed "gunmen" and villagers who may have "directly or indirectly" aided Kiram's followers, Malaysia's The Star Online reported.

 

Sabah police chief Datuk Hamza Taib said the 107 were investigated for offenses such as possession of offensive weapons, suspicious personal documents and illegal entry, the report added.

 

Malaysian authorities are keeping the 107 under arrest under its Offences (Special Measures) Act of 2012 (Somsa).

 

At least 243 more are in custody for other offenses including the Immigration Act and National Registration Act, the report added.

 

Since March 5, Malaysian security forces had conducted offensive operations against Kiram's followers, following deadly clashes last March 1 and 2.

 

Malaysian forces arrested some of the 107 in the areas where the offensives were held, and captured the others in Lahad Datu, Semporna, Kunak, and Sandakan.

 

Hamza said that as of Tuesday, armed encounters continued between Malaysian forces and the Kiram followers in the Kg Tanjung Batu area.

 

Malaysian authorities believe less than 50 of Kiram's followers are still hiding there, but have reinforced its personnel in the area with armored personnel carriers. - VVP, GMA News