Don't test patience of Malaysian authorities, Pinoys in Sabah warned


A Malaysian official on Wednesday warned a group of armed Filipinos holed up in Sabah not to push their patience to the limit, saying they will make the "necessary decision" if needed.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein reiterated Malaysian forces are in control in the standoff, and will ensure the nation's sovereignty and security.

"If this cannot be accepted by the group, then we, who are in control, will make the necessary decision. I hope they don't push our authorities to that extent," he said in a report of  Malaysia's The Star online.

Hishammuddin said although they are concerned about saving lives, "if we need to make a decision, we are on top of it.”

He said Malaysia was keeping its options open to resolve the situation without violence.

A group of Filipinos claiming to be supporters of the Sultan of Sulu arrived in Sabah earlier this month, and had engaged Malaysian authorities in a standoff.

The group led by Raja Muda Azzimudie Kiram arrived last Feb. 9 at the coastal Kampung Tanduo and stressed they would not leave Sabah, which they consider their “homeland.”

When asked how much time Malaysia is willing to give the group, Hishammuddin said their priority is to ensure that military and police forces were in control of the situation.

Hishammuddin indicated that they are willing to give the Filipinos more time for the peaceful resolution of the situation.

“We have never compromised on the sovereignty of the nation or the safety of the people of Sabah. We are giving a little bit more time for this matter to be resolved,” he said in The Star report. - VVP, GMA News

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