Guard against IS militants

From the Daily Express (Sep 22): Guard against IS militants

KOTA KINABALU: Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said secession proponents should think carefully before carrying out their political agenda so as not to jeopardise the security of Sabah and its people.

He said those fanning the secession sentiments "for their own political agenda" should look at the security threats detected recently, particularly from the Mindanao-based Muslim militants, Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) and Abu Sayyaf which had pledged allegiance to the struggle of Islamic State (IS) in Iraq and Syria.

Describing the secession group as "those having no other works to do except politics", Hishammuddin said they need to look at Sabah's security from another perspective since "one wrong move could very well mean the end and whatever they are fighting for, including power, will be gone."

He said the existence of Muslim militants supporting the formation of IS in the Middle East is set to change the landscape of the threats and security scope in the East Coast of Sabah.

"This threat is bigger than the current smuggling and kidnapping cases in the East Coast of Sabah," he said when opening the Penampang Umno annual delegates' conference at Beverly Hotel in Karamunsing, here, Sunday.

Speaking to reporters later, Hishammuddin said the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) led by Nur Misuari, Abu Sayyaf and Sulu Sultanate army, which was fighting to create an Islamic government in southern Philippines and claiming Sabah, was found to be using the IS model.

"In fact, based on the intelligence reports, it is believed that the Abu Sayyaf group has trained certain individuals to be sent to Syria and fight with IS," he said.

According to Hishammuddin, up to April this year, 19 Malaysians have been arrested for suspected involvement in IS (including two in Sandakan).

They were believed to have been recruited by four militant cells, namely Khaed Al Waled, Al Jemaah Brigade, Daulah Islamiyah and Arakan Daulah Islamiyah Arakan, before being sent to Syria.

The authorities were also hot on the heels of five more militants believed to be hiding in southern Philippines, said Hishammuddin.

"This is not to create fear among the people of Sabah but this (is based) on the open statement and it is not impossible. The MNLF before this have expressed their intention to create an Islamic Caliphate covering the Southern Philippines, Sabah, Sarawak, Brunei and Indonesia," he said.

Towards this end, a split in a country due to the political polemic sentiment to take Sabah out of Malaysia based on racial and religious issues can be easily exploited by certain groups, he said.

"I want to take the opportunity today to remind Umno leaders and the people of Sabah that there are limitations in the way in our politicking in trying to win seats and power," he said.

Even the Nigerian militant, Boko Haram, had also announced its plan to form an Islamic State of Nigeria, he said, adding that these developments should serve as a reminder to the people of Sabah.

To a question, he said based on intelligence reports so far, the threat to the country as a result of BIFF's support to IS has not reached the level like in the United Kingdom and Australia.

Both the UK and Australia had heightened their security to the highest level due to the IS threat.

"Australia has been put on the highest ever security level alert in the country's history and it is not mere coincidence. Therefore, the people of Sabah need to look further.

What message they can get from the action of the Australian government," he said.

Hishammuddin said he had discussed with the Prime Minister on ways to get more funding to be channelled for Sabah's security in the Budget 2015 to be tabled on Oct 10.

"This is among the issues that the people of Sabah and Sarawak have been asking, that the security must not be compromised at all cost, and this is what we are going to give them," he said.

http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=91249