PR calls for white paper on Lahad Datu intrusion incident

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PENAMPANG: Pakatan Rakyat (PR) Sabah is calling on the state government to be more forthcoming with information about the Lahad Datu intrusion incident.

For this reason, Pakatan Rakyat Sabah supports the proposal by DAP Sabah chairman cum Sri Tanjung assemblyman Jimmy Wong that an emergency sitting should be convened to discuss the case which has claimed the lives of a number of personnel of the Malaysian security forces.

“We would also urge the state Security Council chairman, Datuk Seri Musa Aman, to table a white paper on the intrusion incident during the emergency sitting,” Sabah PKR chairman Thamrin Jaini told a press conference following a meeting of Pakatan Rakyat Sabah leaders at the party’s headquarters here yesterday.

Pakatan Rakyat Sabah comprises PKR, DAP, PAS, Angkatan Perubahan Sabah (APS) and Pertubuhan Pakatan Perubahan Sabah (PPPS).

Thamrin, when asked why they thought a white paper was necessary, replied: “The government has a responsibility to inform the people what actually happened in Lahad Datu because the rakyat have a right to get the full details about the tragic incident.

On whether the white paper would have a long-term impact on Sabah, Thamrin said that it would definitely have an effect and an impact of the security of the state, especially in matters pertaining to the Sulu sultanate’s claim on Sabah.

He added that the white paper will help to enlighten Sabahans who are now still in the dark about the incident.

“The rakyat were not given the correct information (about the claim and intrusion)… sometimes there is nothing or only half truths. The white paper should be able to explain the actual situation. The government has a responsibility to respond and explain to the public … don’t hide things from the public as they have the right to know about how you failed to detect the entry of armed individuals into Sabah,” he stressed.

When asked to comment on claims by Barisan Nasional (BN) leaders, including Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein that Pakatan Rakyat leaders should go down to the affected area in Lahad Datu instead of just issuing statements about the incident, Thamrin and Jimmy pointed out that a group of leaders from the opposition, including DAP advisor Lim Kit Siang had visited FELDA 16 on February 20.

“Our national leader was there even before the state Security Council chairman visited the area,” they said.

According to Thamrin, it is not Hishammuddin’s duty to question the opposition whether they will go down to ‘ground zero’ or not.

“His (Hishammuddin’s) duty is to solve the problem and if he cannot do it, then he should step down … let Pakatan form the government and we can solve the problem in one day,” Thamrin said.

On the setting up of the Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM) or special security area from Kudat to Tawau, Thamrin said Pakatan Rakyat Sabah supported the creation of the area and hoped that when implemented, it could help tighten security and prevent anymore intrusions similar to what had happened in Lahad Datu.

“I think they appear to have the right strategy with the creation of the zone, as it can help to protect the security and sovereignty of Sabah. We are hopeful for the Federal Government and we support any move involving safety and security,” he said.

He, however, pointed out that this preventive measure should have been thought of and implemented long ago, especially after past incidents of intrusion and kidnapping in Lahad Datu and Semporna.

“So I think the country’s security forces should have increased their level of alertness at the said areas because if we failed to detect the movement of one or two individuals, it may be excusable, but can you imagine it when people come in by the hundreds and armed with weapons and they failed to detect them?

“We are supposed to have sophisticated weapons like what the government claims that can detect and monitor any movements. Now people are questioning the sophistication of these weapons because those who have entered Sabah are not just ordinary individuals,” he pointed out.

During the meeting, the Pakatan Rakyat Sabah component leaders also unanimously agreed to support the coalition’s central leadership’s call to hold a special parliamentary sitting to discuss the Lahad Datu intrusion incident.

They want a roundtable meeting between the state government and opposition leaders to discuss and find a solution to the matter. They also want both the state as well as federal governments to explain to the people of Sabah the status of the Sulu Sultanate’s claim on Sabah and why the annual payment to its heirs is still being made.

The Sabah opposition coalition parties want Najib, as Umno president, to explain what is the agenda behind his meetings with those who claimed to be the ‘Sultan of Sulu’ or their representatives who were invited to attend Umno’s delegates conference and other events.

The Sabah Pakatan Rakyat leaders also strenuously deny that their leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had masterminded the intrusion incident in Lahad Datu.

Meanwhile, Jimmy told reporters that his letter calling for an emergency sitting was sent to the State Assembly Speaker’s office yesterday.

Those who attended the meeting included PPPS president Datuk Seri Lajim Ukin, PAS Sabah commissioner Aminudin Aling and APS leader Datuk Herman Tiongsoh.