Sabah village used by Kiram followers to be closed permanently

From GMA News (Mar 27): Sabah village used by Kiram followers to be closed permanently

Malaysian security forces have decided to close permanently the village where followers of Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III first holed up when they arrived in Sabah last February.

Authorities will relocate the residents of Kampung Tanduo to a new area, according to a report on Malaysia's state-run Bernama news agency Wednesday night.

"That is what has been decided so far, we will discuss the matter further. But as far as national security is concerned, it is only right that the residents of the village be relocated to a new place," Sabah police commissioner Datuk Hamza Taib said.

He pointed out the village had been destroyed in the wake of offensive operations by Malaysian security forces since March 5 to flush out Kiram's followers.

Kiram's followers had supposedly used the village as a fortress, engaging Malaysian forces in a three-week standoff until deadly clashes on March 1 and 2 prompted the offensives.

Hamza claimed Kampung Tanduo was "free" from the Kiram followers, and meetings will be held among the National Security Council, Lahad Datu District Office and the village head to see if the villagers can return home before they are relocated.

Gun battle

Hamza said a gun battle occurred at 7:30 a.m. Wednesday between security forces and three suspected Kiram followers in the village of Sungai Bilis.

Security forces recovered a pistol, six bullets and a machete left by the suspected Kiram followers, who he said fired at the security forces but fled when the forces returned fire.

No casualty was reported in the incident, he said.

A separate report on New Straits Times quoted Hamza as saying the suspected Kiram followers were on the beach opened fire on seeing the police boat.

Security forces chased the Kiram followers but lost them.

Cops to expose Kiram followers' 'financiers'

Meanwhile, a separate report on Malaysia's The Star Online quoted police Inspector-General Tan Sri Ismail Omar as saying they are zeroing in on personalities giving funds to Kiram's followers.

"This is a serious matter as it involved the sovereignty of the country. But hold on till we have concluded our investigations... then we will expose these people," he said.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/301329/news/nation/sabah-village-used-by-kiram-followers-to-be-closed-permanently