KOTA KINABALU: Voters in Lahad Datu are advised to put the intrusion case behind and to come in full force to practise their rights in the coming 13th general election.
The advice came from incumbent Silam member of parliament Datuk Salleh Kalbi who assured better security and safety for the people in the district.
“With the dissolution announced today (yesterday), we hope the people will continue their trust and support to the ruling Barisan Nasional. I assure that the security and safety of the people in Lahad Datu are protected,” he said when met at the Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman’s official residence, Sri Gaya, when the latter announced the dissolution of the state legislative assembly here yesterday.
He urged the voters in the district, especially those from the affected areas, to come and vote, and to choose wisely.
“We hope they would give the BN candidates and government the chance to continue serving the people,” he said.
Incumbent Tungku assemblyman Datuk Mohd Suhaili Said meanwhile revealed that there were some 600 voters from the eight affected villages involved in Ops Daulat, which was launched to rid the armed intruders in the area.
The eight villages are Kampung Tanduo, Kampung Tanjung Labian, Kampung Tanjung Batu, Kampung Lok Buani, Kampung Sungai Merah, Kampung Sungai Bilis, Kampung Sembuang and Kampung Sungai Nyamuk.
“Following the intrusion case, the polling centre which was stationed at Sekolah Kebangsaan Tanjung Labian has now been moved to Sekolah Kebangsaan Fajar Harapan. We hope that the people would come out to vote.
“We are grateful with the contribution of the Malaysian security forces to return peace to the affected areas and believe the villagers share our sentiments. We hope they will return the mandate to the BN government,” he said.
Meanwhile, incumbent Lahad Datu assemblyman Datuk Datu Nasrun Datu Mansur said they were set to face the coming election, and would be working closely with his counterparts in BN.
“The most awaited time is finally here, and we have been ready since last year. And now with the dissolution, we will immediately activate our machinery to ensure victory for BN,” he said.
There are three state seats under the Silam parliamentary area, namely Lahad Datu, Tungku and Kunak.
Datu Nasrun said security in Lahad Datu had improved, and the conflict area is located some 150 kilometres from town.
“Everything is back to normal and the people are beginning to accept that the situation has improved. Having said that, we are still on alert and hope that no parties would take advantage to create an issue out of it.
“But I believe and am confident that the security forces are doing their level best to ensure the people’s safety and security.
“The setting up of the Eastern Sabah Command (ESSCOM) will definitely raise the confidence of the people, especially in the east coast of Sabah. I have no doubt that voters turnout will not be affected,” he said.
On Feb 12, some 200 Sulu gunmen, led by Raja Muda Azzimudie, intruded into Kampung Tanduo that led to a three-week standoff between them and the Malaysian security forces.
The Malaysian security forces launched a massive air and artillery attack to flush them out on March 5. Ten days later, security forces took back Kampung Tanduo.
Most of the villagers claimed that the Sulu gunmen had looted their homes of household items such as television sets, sofas and refrigerators during the standoff, and their homes were also damaged during the fighting.
Residents from the affected villagers were then forced to take shelter at four community centres in Felda Sahabat – Sahabat 7 Cenderawasih, Embara Budi, Fajar Harapan and Gemala Pura.
Villagers have since been allowed to return home after their villages have been declared clean and clear of armed intruders last week.