Silent
negotiations between Malaysia
and the Sultanate of Sulu are ongoing, apparently to peacefully resolve the
conflict bet-ween the two sides in con-nection with the Sabah
claims and other issues surrounding the 2013 standoff in Lahad Datu where
members of the Royal Security Forces (RSF) laid siege.
Abraham
Idjirani, secretary general and spokesman of the Sultanate of Sulu, confirmed
to The Tribune that he met with a Malaysian government emissary in Manila
According to Idjirani, the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) is also involved in the “backdoor negotiations.”
“The arranged meeting was about the presentation of the Sultanate of Sulu’s aspiration to resolve the Sabah conflict for the benefit of
Idjirani refused to identify the Malaysian government emissary citing the sensitivity of the issue.
He, however, branded the talks as a positive development and are in line with the Sultanate of Sulu’s quest for the peaceful resolution of the
“Of course, this is a welcome development. As we have stated, we are pushing the peaceful resolution of this conflict,” Idjirani stressed.
He said Sultan Esmael Kiram II also appealed to the Malaysian leadership for his son Datu Amilbahar Kiram and his wife Gina Kiram, who are currently detained for charges of waging war against Kuala Lumpur in connection with the February 2013 siege in Lahad Datu by RSF members.
“The appeal of Sultan Esmael Kiram II regarding the royal son and his wife who continue to languish in jail for the wrong accusations lodged against them by Malaysian police was brought to the attention of the Malaysian emissary,” Idjirani added.
According to Idjirani, Datu Amilbahar and his wife even sought the help of the Malaysian authorities when Rajah Muda Agbimmudin Kiram led hundreds of RSF members in laying siege to Lahad Datu. But when armed confrontation erupted, they were charged and arrested.
The armed conflict led to the killing of dozens of RSF members and Malaysian troops.
Idjirani said prior to the Lahad Datu conflict, Datu Amilbahar and his wife have been in and out of Semporna, Sabah since 2007 without encountering any problems with Malaysian authorities.
“The emissary vowed to personally convey the appeal to Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak,” he added.
Sought to comment on the negotiations, MNLF spokesman Rev. Absalom Cerveza neither confirmed nor denied it.
“I cannot confirm or deny that information,” Cerveza told The Tribune, adding “there might be backdoor negotiations but as far as we are concerned, there are no official talks regarding that issue.”
Both Idjirani and Cerveza maintained that the Sultanate of Sulu has undeniable ownership of Sabah, recognized even by
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