KUALA LUMPUR: The people should not belittle the capability of the country’s security forces in the Ops Daulat confrontation against the Sulu terrorists in Lahad Datu, Sabah, said Defence Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
He urged the people to set aside their differences and unite in support of the security forces who were defending Malaysia’s sovereignty.
“This is the most appropriate time for the people to unite and offer their undivided support to our security forces who are on the frontline to ensure our security.
“So, in this regard let’s set aside whatever differences we have among us,” he said in an interview in the ‘Malaysia Hari Ini’ television programme broadcast live from the Subang RMAF base here.
Ahmad Zahid together with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak were at the base to pay their last respects to the Malaysian soldiers, Private Ahmad Hurairah Ismail, 24, and Private Ahmad Farhan Roslan, 21, who were slain in the operation in Lahad Datu on Tuesday.
The minister reminded the security forces in Tanjung Batu, Tanjung Labian and Kampung Tanduo to remain constantly guarded and prepared in the face of potential hostility during the operation.
“These terrorists are very experienced and trained so you have to be vigilant while on duty,” he cautioned.
According to him, the terrorists practised a culture of vengeance and from one generation to the next, revenge was the norm when their faction lost in a fight. — Bernama