Accused Denies Being At Kampung Tanduo During Intrusion

From Bernama (Apr 13): Accused Denies Being At Kampung Tanduo During Intrusion

A Filipino accused in the Lahad Datu intrusion trial denied being at Kampung Tanduo in Lahad Datu when an armed intrusion occurred over three years ago, the High Court here heard today.

Tani Lahaddahi, 63, said a prosecution witness, who testified as a protected witness in December last year, had lied about speaking to the accused and seeing him in full army uniform at the village.

"That is not true. That is a lie," he said in the Suluk language, whose testimony was translated by a court interpreter.

Tani entered his defence on a charge of being a member of a terrorist group and waging war against the Yang di-Pertuan Agong during the intrusion at the village in 2013.

The accused disagreed with deputy public prosecutor (DPP) Datuk Jamil Aripin during cross-examination that he went to assist the leader of the armed intruders, Datu Agbimuddin Kiram, when they landed at Kampung Tanduo.

"I put it to you that your presence at Kampung Tanduo showed your intention to wage war against the Malaysian government," Jamil suggested, to which Tani disagreed.

The accused pointed out that he ended his association with Datu Agbimuddin and his older brother Esmail Kiram, a so-called Sulu sultan, in 2003 and never communicated with them after that.

Tani also denied any knowledge that a person known as 'Imam Tua' was involved in an attack on the security forces at Kampung Simunul in Semporna where a photograph with the accused in it was found.

"I never gave this photograph to the police. I have never seen this photograph before," he said.

Tani told the court that as a Suluk, he supported the existence of the Sulu sultanate as he was a follower of another so-called sultan Muedzul Lail Tan Kiram.

He disagreed with the DPP that he transferred his allegiance to Datu Agbimuddin in 2013 because Muedzul Lail did not take action to assert his claim on Sabah as belonging to the Sulu sultanate.

"I put it to you that during the intrusion and the skirmishes that happened led by Datu Agbimuddin, you and other members of the 'Royal Security Force' or also known as 'Royal Sulu Force' were on standby to attack Semporna," suggested Jamil, to which Tani disagreed.

Thirteen Filipinos and a local are entering their defence before Justice Stephen Chung at the Sabah Prison Department for various offences allegedly committed between Feb 12 and April 10, 2013.

Some of the accused are facing one to multiple charges of being members of a terrorist group and waging war against the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

Others are alleged to have wilfully harboured individuals they knew to be members of a terrorist group, or solicited or gave support to a terrorist group.

The hearing continues tomorrow.
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