Commander in 2013 Sabah assault dies of heart attack

From the Daily Tribune (Jan 14): Commander in 2013 Sabah assault dies of heart attack

Raja Muda Agbimuddin Kiram, who led more than 200 fighters of Royal Sultanate Force (RSF) in a daring assault of Lahad Datu in Sabah in 2013, died yesterday of heart attack at his residence in Tawi-Tawi.

Abraham Idjirani, secretary general and spokesman of the Sulu Sultanate, said that Sultan Esmael Kiram II confirmed the death of his younger brother Raja Muda Agbimuddin Kiram.

Idjirani said that Agbimuddin died at around 9 a.m. at his residence in Simunul, Tawi Tawi of natural cause.

“He died peacefully after suffering heart attack. It was an instant death,” Idjirani said.

“The sultanate expresses heartfelt gratitude for the condolences we are receiving in this moment of grief for the untimely death of Crown Prince Agbimuddin,” he added.

According to Idjirani, Agbimuddin would be succeeded by his younger brother Datu Phungkal Kiram as raja muda or crown prince.

In February 2013, Agbimuddin led more than 200 fighters of the RSF in a daring assault of Lahad Datu, in an attempt to reclaim Sabah from Malaysia.

The assault has the blessing of his elder brother, the late Sultan Jamalul Kiram III, as the sultanate asserted ownership of Sabah. Jamalul died of ailment in October 2013 and was succeeded by Sultan Esmael Kiram II, now the incumbent head of the sultanate.

Dozens of RSF members and Malaysian authorities were killed during the fighting that dragged on for several weeks with Tausug fighters throwing support to the sultanate’s supporters.

There were reports then stating that Agbimuddin was killed during the fighting but such information turned out to be false.

Other reports said that Agbimuddin managed to sneak out of Sabah, evading pursuing Malaysian troops at the height of the conflict.

http://www.tribune.net.ph/nation/commander-in-2013-sabah-assault-dies-of-heart-attack