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MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – Malaysia on Friday, March 1, disputed the claim of the Sultanate of Sulu that Malaysian security forces triggered an exchange of shots in Lahad Datu, Sabah, the site of a two-week standoff.
“I confirm that our security forces have not taken a single shot but were shot at at 10 am,” said Malaysia’s Home Affairs Minister Hishammuddin Hussein through his Twitter account @HishammuddinH2O.
On Friday evening, the Malaysian Embassy in Manila made a similar statement.
“I wish to hereby state and clarify that the Malaysian authorities never (attacked) or (initiated) any attack in Lahad Datu as reported by Inquirer.net,” said Dato’ Mohd Zamri Mohd Kassim, ambassador of Malaysia to the Philippines, referring to a news report that quoted the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs.
“On the operation against the Sultan Kiram’s group in Lahad Datu, I wish to categorically underscore that it is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Home Affairs of Malaysia,” the ambassador added.
Lahad Datu – I comfirm that our security forces have not taken a single shot but were shot at at 10am this morning !
— Hishammuddin Hussein (@HishammuddinH2O) March 1, 2013
Earlier on Friday, the Sultanate of Sulu claimed Malaysian authorities fired the first shot at around 6 am, leading to an exchange of gunfire. Their spokesman said the incident has killed 10 people and injured 4 so far.
In an interview published on Malaysia’s The Star, Hishammuddin said the deadline for the Sulu Sultan’s followers to leave Sabah has lapsed. “The deadline has been extended so many times,” he said.
“(What) happens from now onwards, I hope no one will accuse the security forces of not giving space to the rebels to settle this peacefully,” the Home Minister added.
Contradicting the Sulu Sultanate’s claim, however, Hishammuddin said no one died due to the incident. The Sulu Sultanate’s spokesman said up to 10 people died in a supposed firefight. – with reports from Paterno Esmaquel II/Rappler.com
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