KLUANG: The Home Ministry has left it to Wisma Putra to decide on the Philippine government’s request of an extension on the deportation of a group of intruders in Lahad Datu, Sabah.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein however said, if such an extension was allowed it should not be too long, as the ministry will not compromise on matters which could potentially threaten the sovereignty of the nation.
“I have just received a call from Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman this morning on the matter and have left it to Wisma Putra to decide. What is important is that national security is defended and the dignity of Sabah and its people is not compromised.
“If there is room for the Philippines request, don’t delay too much because we have to defend our homeland. There is a limit and time to tackle the issue,” he told reporters after attending a briefing on the Barisan Nasional (BN) general election machinery at the Sembrong parliamentary constituency, here yesterday.
Hishamuddin, who is also Umno vice-president said, the actual deportation operation would be handed over to the police.
He also hoped the public would understand the situation and view it in perspective as it was different from several previous incidents such as those involving Al-Maunah, Abu Sayyaf and Jemaah Islamiah Malaysia.
“I went to Sabah and met the police, armed forces and Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency. The situation is under control,” he added.
He urged the public to be rational and not be influenced by those who politicised the issue.
The media reported that the Philippines government, through Foreign Minister Albert Del Rasario, had asked the Malaysian government for time to persuade the group, which claimed to be the descendants of the Sulu Sultan, to leave Sabah voluntarily.
On a separate development, Hishamuddin said the ministry would step up efforts to eradicate the baby-selling racket in the country, through close cooperation with other countries in the region.
“We cannot stand by and do nothing about what’s happening in Penang. We must deal with the issue at the source and also work with other countries,” he said. — Bernama