Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman (seated right) with the Suluk associations’ presidents when they called on him at Sri Gaya yesterday. Among the leaders are Abdul Ali Erilis (left), Mohd Zaki Harry Susanto (centre) and Haji Ruhil Sailadjan (right). Also present is Minister in the Chief Minister’s Department, Datuk Nasir Tun Sakaran (seated left).
KOTA KINABALU: Malaysians of Suluk descent in Sabah have condemned the act of the self-proclaimed Sultan of Sulu Jamalul Kiram and his army which has resulted in the loss of lives.
Representatives from three Suluk-based associations, namely Persatuan Rumpun Ethnic Suluk Sabah (PRESS), Persatuan Kebudayaan Suluk Bajau Tawau Sabah and Persatuan Perniaga Kraftangan Kota Kinabalu also disassociated themselves from the group despite their bloodlines.
“We are descendants of Suluks who were given Malaysian citizenship when the country was formed. Our loyalty is to the Yang diPertuan Agong and Sabah Head of State,” PRESS secretary Mohd Zaki Harry Susanto said.
Mohd Zaki told reporters after a courtesy call by the three associations on Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman that they condemn the act of the self-proclaimed Sultan of Sulu and his so-called army for trespassing onto Malaysian soil and described it as uncivilized as well as cruel towards the country’s security forces.
“This does not reflect the true Suluk characteristics who are humble and peace loving people … We are loyal to the Agong, this is our country. We are also loyal to the TYT and we support the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman’s leadership,” he said and stressed that the Suluk community in Sabah had never supported any move made by the Suluk ethnic group from the neighbouring country.
“Even though we are from the same ethnic group, Malaysia is our country and we will defend the country,” Mohd Zaki said, adding that according to the National Registration Statistics in 2012, there are about 300,000 people of Suluk ethnicity in Sabah.
Most of these people are residing in the east coast and a large number are second and third generations of Suluks who originated from the Philippines.
Mohd Zaki disclosed that his grandfather who is from Sulu, came to this part of Borneo in the 1930s, so when Malaysia was formed in 1963, he was given a Malaysian citizenship.
Persatuan Kebudayaan Suluk Bajau Tawau Sabah deputy president Abdul Ali Erilis called on Malaysians of Suluk descent in Sabah to come out in full support of the Malaysian government’s efforts to flush out the intruders.
Abdul Ali also refuted all allegations that the association’s 5,000 members are involved with the Sulu army and their action.
“We will stand solid and uphold the sovereignty and justice of Malaysia … we want the peace and harmony restored. We do not support the intruders or the Sulu army,” he said.
Meanwhile, Persatuan Perniaga Kraftangan Kota Kinabalu chairman Ruhil Sailajan decried the intrusion by the Sulu army as it was bad for their business.
“There are 114 handicraft stall operators in the state capital and our businesses have been affected since the intrusion early February. There has been a decline in the number of tourists visiting the handicraft market and our economy has taken a toll,” he said.
Ruhil added that they hoped the case would be settled soon so that peace and harmony will return to the state.