Violence has escalated on Sabah, where the Sultan of Sulu and his troops remain firm in their demands.
When about 200 supporters of the Sultan of Sulu packed M16s into boats and made the one-hour crossing from Sulu in the southern Philippines to Lahad Datu in Malaysian Borneo’s eastern Sabah on February 9, no-one took much notice.
Initial international media reports a few days later were vague about who the group was. Even in their native Philippines, many had no idea what Jamalul Kiram III, who claims to be the heir to the Islamic sultanate of Sulu, was prepared to fight for. But they certainly do now.
Even before Malaysia attacked the group with fighter jets on Tuesday,the crisis had escalated and spread rapidly. Last Friday, 12 Filipinos and two Malaysian counter-terrorism police were killed in a shootout, while six more police and 11 Filipinos, including two imams, were reportedly killed 190 miles (300 km) south in Semporna. Meanwhile, the sultan’s son and the group’s leader Raja Muda Kiram have dispersed with surviving members of the group. Political fallout in both the Philippines and Malaysia has grown by the day.
The standoff has not only tested Philippine-Malaysia ties, it has also had implications for the imminent elections in both countries as well as the fragile Philippines peace process.
Dating back to the late 19th century when the British ruled Malaya, the sultan’s claim to parts of the eastern half of Sabah (formerly known as North Borneo) has resurrected one of the biggest sovereignty disputes by land area in the region. Successive Malaysian and Philippine administrations have found it much simpler to sweep the issue under the carpet than resolve it once and for all.
It’s a status quo that Abraham Idjirani, secretary-general and spokesperson for the sultanate, says Manila has tried to preserve in the name of safeguarding ties with Kuala Lumpur as the dispute has come to a boil.
“The only request from both sides is to surrender – this appears to be the policy of both governments,” he told The Diplomat on Sunday after the violence spread to Semporna.
In trying to rein in the sultan, Philippine President Benigno Aquino has changed his stance almost daily. At first, he tried to entice the sultan’s men back. Then, Aquino said his administration would seek to prosecute the sultan and his followers. After violence erupted last Friday he said all would be forgotten, if only the group would return.
As the election campaign kicks off ahead of Senate and mayoral polls in mid-May, Aquino and his ruling Liberal Party are coming under growing criticism by the press, public and an opposition keen to score political points.
An opinion article in the Philippines Star called Aquino “clueless” on Sunday, while the Opposition National Alliance – opponents for the Senate race – complained of “arrogance” in dealings with the sultan during a press briefing the same day.
Photo Credit: Danny Pata
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Joseph
I am very disappointed on what the Philippine Government was doing on the Sabah issue. It looks like Mr. Aquino is siding on Malaysia rather than the his own countrymen. It's very humilliating for him because he chose to side with the Malaysians. When Sultan Kiram sent a letter regarding the said issue..he doesn't take care of it and lost it but the subpoena of the National Bureau of Investigation for the Kiram family was not lost or forgotten. I think Mr. Aquino does'nt know the History of our country or he doesn't want to affiliate his name to the late president Marcos which is the last president who take stand for our rights in Sabah
benjie
No More Silent Nights for malaysia from now on. What a pity!
Liang1a
Below is a quote of the view of the International Court of Justice or ICJ which is self-explanatory. Obviously it doesn't matter what the original agreement was between the Sultan of Sulu and the British North Borneo. No outside entities can claim sovereignty over a large group of people who want to be independent. Especially, if the group of people have been self-governing for a long time like Sabah has been. Therefore, in the eyes of the ICJ, the agreements and treaties not participated by the Sabahan people are simply ineffective. Therefore, Philippines would be wise to write Sabah off as a historical incidence. Or if it wants to create more goodwill, it can champion the rights of the Chinese in Sabah for more equal rights. And Philippines could also call for more Chinese immigration into Sabah. This will make Filipinos more welcomed in Sabah and promote more trade and investment between Sabah and Philippines. That is the wisest way Philippines can benefit from Sabah.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Borneo_dispute#1878_Agreement
gaspar
war for sabah will be an ongoing effort — forever