KOTA KINABALU: Sabah MCA Liaison chairman Datuk Edward Khoo yesterday commended the action taken by the Malaysian security forces to flush out the so-called army of self-proclaimed Sultan of Sulu Jamalul Kiram III from Lahad Datu.
The Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Department, in a statement, said that Sabah MCA fully supports Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s stand on the Sulu army’s intrusion into our land.
They have to surrender unconditionally as self-proclaimed ceasefire and negotiation would not be entertained, Khoo stressed.
“As far as we are concerned, Sabah is part of Malaysia since 1963 and not forgetting that Sabah attained its independence on August 31 1963 and self-ruled until September 16 the same year.
“We are a sovereign state and part of the federation of Malaysia. When foreigners intrude into our country and land, we have to take very strong action against the intruders,” the Kapayan assemblyman pointed out.
Khoo felt that the OPS Daulat is very commendable and security forces both from the police and armed forces are fully appreciated by all the people in Sabah.
“We are thankful that the security in Sabah is under control and we also wish to extend our condolences and appreciation to our heroes who lost their lives protecting the state.
“They will never be forgotten by the people of Sabah for what they have done to protect our mother land against the threat of the intruders,” he said.
On the setting up of the special security area as announced by Najib when he visited Lahad Datu on Thursday, Khoo said that it is highly commendable to prevent further intrusion into Sabah.
He added that the intrusion had caused hardship and anxiety among the communities in the whole of Sabah especially those in the east coast.
This will also deter illegal immigrants from trying to enter Sabah and also allow the rakyat to enjoy the peace and harmony that they have always had in Sabah.
“The action taken by our beloved Prime Minister fully reflects that he has the interest of the rakyat at heart. I am sure that Malaysians under his leadership will continue to prosper.
“This will provide a peaceful and harmonious environment to the people of Sabah and the whole of Malaysia,” Khoo said.