From the Manila Times (Apr 21): Tausugs rally to press Malaysia to free Sabah
Thousands of Tausug people on Sunday gathered in Jolo, Sulu to call on the Malaysian government to free Sabah.
Abraham Idjirani, spokesperson and secretary-general of the Sultanate of Sulu and North Borneo said that the rally was staged to express full support to the sultanate’s claim over Sabah.
Wearing shirts printed with “Free Sabah” on it, the participants urged the Malaysian government to return the disputed territory to its original owner, the Sultanate of Sulu and North Borneo.
“This is just a recognition of the ancestral and legal rights of the Sultanate of Sulu over Sabah,” said Idjirani.
Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) chief of staff Yusop Jikiri earlier said that the Tausugs in Mindanao have formed Bangsa-Sug to solidify their support in the move of the Sultanate to reclaim Sabah.
He said he personally initiated the move to gather all Tausugs to create the Bangsa-Sug, which according to him is different from the Bangsa Moro.
“They gathered in Jolo to show to the world that they are moving for the peaceful resolution of Sabah problem,” Jikiri said in a phone interview.
He also said that the move was also done to express full support to the legitimacy of the leadership of Sultan Jamalul Kiram 3rd after several personalities declared that they are the real Sultan.
Jikiri said that the participants of the rally first paraded around the whole town of Jolo before proceeding in front of the municipal hall where a short program was held.
“They [participants] are demanding freedom of the island of Sabah,” he added.
Elated by the strong support to the sultanate, Idjirani said that the rally was a “very welcome development.”
“With this, Malaysia will know that the Sultanate of Sulu is not only demanding the return of Sabah but also the Tausug people,” Idjirani said.
”This is only a manifestation that the Sultanate has the legal and ancestral rights over Sabah,” he added.
http://www.manilatimes.net/index.php/news/regions/45933-tausugs-rally-to-press-malaysia-to-free-sabah
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