KUALA LUMPUR: The Philippine government is not obliged to hand over its citizens involved in the Lahad Datu intrusion as it does not have an extradition agreement with Malaysia, the Dewan Rakyat was told yesterday.
The Home Ministry, in a written reply to the house, said the government needed to fulfill several criteria and procedures under the Extradition Act 1992 before making extradition requests to countries.
The ministry was replying to a question from Ignatius Dorell Leiking (PKR-Penampang) who wanted to know whether the government had requested the Philippines to arrest Filipinos involved in the intrusion in Sabah to be handed over to Malaysia to face prosecution.
In February 2013, a group of intruders from the southern Philippines entered the country’s waters in a boat and gathered in stages at Felda Sahabat 17 in Kampung Tanduo, Lahad Datu.
Following that, a battle broke out between the terrorist group and Malaysian security forces, which resulted in two Malaysian soldiers and 12 armed intruders killed.
Six more policemen were also killed in an ambush in Kampung Simunul, Semporna, while two armed forces personnel died in the battle and accidents in the operation in Lahad Datu.
The ministry said 31 people were arrested and charged in court under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (SOSMA).
It said the government was always in contact with and fostered close cooperation with the Philippines in the effort to restrict the Sulu terrorists. — Bernama