Skirmishes erupt between Malaysia, sultanate forces

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines  â€“ Skirmishes erupted as Malaysian security forces attacked last Wednesday members of the Royal Security Forces (RSF) of the Sultanate of Sulu and other volunteers in several areas in Sabah, according to an official of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).

Habib Mujahab Hashim, who chairs the MNLF’s Islamic Command Council, yesterday said the fighting started after some 1,600 volunteers of the sultanate slipped recently into Sabah and joined the RSF led by Agbimuddin Kiram, younger brother of Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III who has led some 200 fighters since February to revive the claim over Sabah of the heirs of the Sultanate of Sulu.

Hashim, who also chairs the sultanate’s Royal Council of Sharifs, said that based on the information they have received, the skirmishes erupted in the outskirts of Lahad Datu, Sabah as the Malaysian security forces continued their “Ops Daulat (Operation Sovereignty)” against the followers of the sultanate.

He said fighting was also reported in some areas in Sempurna even as Malaysians are preparing for their general elections on May 5.

“The royal security forces were fighting through guerrilla tactic, which appeared to be effective,” he said, adding there has been no casualty report yet.