Esscom Director-General Rubbishes Claims Of A Shootout In Lahad Datu

From Bernama (Aug 12): Esscom Director-General Rubbishes Claims Of A Shootout In Lahad Datu

Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) director-general Datuk Mohammad Mentek has rubbished claims that eight Malaysian soldiers were killed in a recent shootout in Lahad Datu.

Describing the recent statement by the so-called Sultanate of Sulu in Philippine newspapers as mere propaganda, he said since the intrusion of Sulu terrorists into Tanduo, Lahad Datu in February, there had not been any recent clash between Malaysian security forces and the terrorists.

"How can they make that claim when there is no war? That claim is baseless," he told Bernama when contacted Monday.

Mohammad was asked to comment on recent reports by several Philippine newspapers that Sulu gunmen had killed eight Malaysian soldiers.

He reiterated the report was intended to reflect the situation in the state as unstable, apart from an attempt to stir unrest.

The so-called Sultanate of Sulu was quoted as claiming recently, that its forces led by a veteran guerrilla from Tawi-Tawi, killed at least eight Malaysian soldiers in a shootout in Lahad Datu, Sabah.

On June 19, Mohammad had also dismissed a report in a local Philippine newspaper report of a skirmish between Malaysian security forces and about 400 armed Sulu terrorists at Kampung Dengan Tungku near Lahad Datu.
http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/state_news/news.php?id=969508&cat=sbe