NO MORE GRACE PERIOD :
Navy to ensure they don't escape
PEKAN: PRIME Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has expressed sadness that blood had been spilled by the action of armedintruders from Sulu who at-tacked Malaysian security forces first.
Two police personnel were killed and three security personnel injured in the crossfire while 12 of the intruders were also shot dead.
Najib said the intruders were the first to attack after they ventured out 1.5km from the place they had holed up in Kampung Tanduo, 30km from Lahad Datu, Sabah.
"I am very sad over the incident because what we had wanted to prevent, which is bloodshed, has happened. Now, there is no grace period for the group to leave.
"I have given the full mandate to the ground commanders, namely Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar and Armed Forces chief Tan Sri Zulkefli Mohd Zin, to take any action deemed necessary."
Najib said it would be a police operation first before the armed forces joined in.
He said security forces had increased their strength in Lahad Datu, both on land and in coastal areas.
He said the intruders had already retreated and the police ground commander would decide on the next course of action.
"The intruders have been totally surrounded by our security forces and Royal Malaysian Navy vessels will also stop them from escaping.
"Since our people have been killed, we are not going to give them any extension (to surrender) and we will take action."
Najib said the Philippine government had also be informed.
Asked whether the group's leader was among those killed, Najib said this had not been determined.
On Wednesday, a defiant leader of the armed intruders, Raja Muda Azzimudie Kiram, vowed to defend himself and his men in Kampung Tanduo.
He claimed they had sufficient manpower and weapons to ward off any attack.
Nor Aziah Nor being consoled by relatives after she learnt of the death of her husband, Inspector Zulkifli Mamat, in Kampung Tanduo, Lahad Datu, yesterday. Pic by L. Manimaran
No comments:
Post a Comment