Security Forces Investigating Sulu Militia's 'Secret Plot' To Invade Sabah With 600 Men
According to South China Morning Post, there was a secret meeting held by 19 mayors from the Sulu archipelago to discuss invading the east coast.
By May Vin Ang — 10 Dec 2021, 12:07 PM
Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCom) said they will investigate information of a secret plot from the southern Philippines, despite believing they are only rumours
In a report published on Thursday, 9 December, South China Morning Post quoted a senior regional security source as saying that 19 mayors from the Sulu archipelago held a secret meeting on 1 December to discuss recruiting 600 men to invade Sabah.
According to the report, they also plan to send spies to scope out Sabah's coastal towns.
It is said the meeting was arranged by a senior local government official in the Southern Philippines.
ESSCom are the security forces that patrol the east coast of Sabah from Kudat to Tawau.
Image via Malai Rosmah Tuah/New Straits TimesIn Lahad Datu, ESSCom commander Datuk Ahmad Fuad said they had also received intelligence reports of the secret plan since the beginning of the month
He said his team has been trying to get additional information of the supposed invasion as well as confirmation from the security forces in the Philippines, but believe the threat is only a rumour.
"These types of rumours crop up each time an election in the country (Philippines) approaches. It is feared that these rumours will be used as propaganda for the election there to win votes," he told Bernama.
However, he said, ESSCom has also never taken a threat lightly and always give serious consideration to every information or hearsay.
"This reflects the real commitment of the security forces in ensuring that Sabah's sovereignty is not compromised by the malicious intentions of outsiders who want to cause chaos and tension in the state."
Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Idris Abdullah has also denied the news reports but is, too, taking no chances
"Not true. Even so, we (Sabah police) will beef up security," he said in a brief message to Bernama.
The sovereignty of Sabah is the source of a long-standing dispute between Malaysia and the Philippines, where feelings of territorial claim over Sabah is especially strong in the state of Sulu.
In 2013, over 200 armed Sulu militants launched an incursion on Lahad Datu.
The attack ended in a month-long stand-off and recorded 72 deaths, 56 of which were intruders, while 10 were Malaysian security personnel and six were civilians.
