Malaysian Armed Forces serve as second-liners during Lahad Datu crisis

This article was last updated on April 16, 2022

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Datuk Dr. Abd Latiff bin Ahmad, Deputy Defence Minister, told the media that the Malaysian Armed Forces are serving as “second-liners” in managing the Lahad Datu crisis. He claimed that almost eight police commandos have been killed since clashes erupted last Friday.

“As far as I understand, we are second-liners. This was the order of the Prime Minister. We will be on standby, we are ready. When we are ordered to take over, we will take over,” said Abd Latiff.

Abd Latiff was speaking to the journalists after the launch of National Blue Ocean Strategy book at the Wisma Pertahanan Auditorium. He affirmed that the Armed Forces will take full charge of the situation whenever deemed necessary. Abd Latiff requested the public not to circulate any rumors as the matter at hand is of fragile nature. The Inspector-General of Police will be keeping the public and media up to date.

“I believe the public must have credible information. When it comes from cyberspace, it is hard to verify its source,” he said.

On the other hand, Princess Merriam Kiram offers herself as an ambassador to the armed Filipino group in Sabah. She claims to be the widow of Mahakuttah Kiram, the 34th sultan of Sulu and thus justifies herself as the lawful claimant to Sabah.

“I am now in the process of negotiating some form of compensation from the Malaysian government to help develop their family’s ancestral lands,” she said in a written statement. “A win-win solution can be definitely arrived at,” she said.