MNLF leader urges Malaysia, Sultanate to end Sabah stand-off

From the Manila Bulletin (Jun 18): MNLF leader urges Malaysia, Sultanate to end Sabah stand-off

Confirms new round of fighting

A senior leader of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) on Tuesday appealed to Malaysia and the Sultanate of Sulu and North Borneo to settle the Sabah conflict peacefully without further loss of life in the light of new round of fighting.

Habib Mujahab "Bogs" Hashim, chairman of the Islamic Command Council (ICC), one of the factions of the MNLF, made the call as he confirmed new rounds of fighting in Kampung Dengan Tunko, site of a palm oil plantation in Lahad Datu, Sabah.

Hashim said he received a call from a Moro settler in Sabah, who live near the site of the new violence.

"The informant did not give any more details, other than saying the Malaysia government has sent reinforcements such as new war tanks and ground forces to Lahad Datu," he said.

"If this doesn’t stop, new fighting could be bigger because the RSF has about 1,000 volunteers joining them," said Hashim.

He renewed his call to the government of Malaysia and the Sultanate under Sultan Jamalul Kiram III to settle the Sabah conflict peacefully.

"It is very sad to see the two sides have lost lives and shed blood, which shouldn’t  be particularly because they are both Muslims," said Hashim, chairman of the Council of Sharifs, whose members have the royal sultanate blood.

http://mb.com.ph/News/National_News/17819/MNLF_leader_urges_Malaysia,_Sultanate_to_end_Sabah_stand-off#.UcCCR47D8cA