Police confirm 35 suspected intruders shot dead

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PAPAR: Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Hamza Taib yesterday confirmed that 35 suspected intruders had been shot by the Philippine navy before they could land in east coast of Sabah.

He made the confirmation based on intelligence reports as the incident did not happen within the Sabah’s jurisdiction.

“The 35 (deaths) were confirmed by intelligence reports but do not ask me about the Philippines. Only ask me about what happens in Sabah,” said Hamza.

He said this after the presentation of the Pingat Kedaulatan Negara by Deputy Home Minister Datuk Lee Chee Leong to 36 recipients comprising security personnel and civil servants from the district, who had served in Ops Daulat to contain the Lahad Datu incursion, here.

Also present were Barisan Nasional candidate for Papar parliamentary and Kawang State seats, Datuk Rosnah Abdul Rashid Shirlin and Datuk Ghulam Haidar Khan Bahadar.

Hamza was asked about the denial by the Philippine navy that it had shot dead 35 members of the self-styled Sulu army, as claimed by Defence Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

On another development, Hamza said the investigation on the three opposition politicians, one from Sabah and the other two from Peninsular Malaysia, whom Defence Minister Datuk Ahmad Zahid Hamidi claimed were involved in the Sulu intrusion to Lahad Datu was being handled by Bukit Aman.

“To date, there is no directive to make any arrest (on the suspects), but the matter is under the jurisdiction of the Defence Ministry and Bukit Aman,” he said.