via Malaysia in standoff with ‘Philippine militants’ | My Sinchew. h/t kb
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 14, 2013 (AFP) —
Malaysia’s government said Thursday that its security forces have
surrounded dozens of suspected Philippine militants in a remote area
with a history of incursions by armed Filipino Islamic groups.
About 80-100 gunmen had been cornered in
the Malaysian state of Sabah on Borneo island, Home Minister
Hishammuddin Hussein told reporters.
He said security forces were negotiating with the men near the small coastal town of Lahad Datu.
“We know the situation is still under
control. I confirm that no Malaysian citizens, to my knowledge, are
being held hostage or for ransom,” Hishammuddin said.
“Security forces are still in control and negotiating with them, some of whom are armed.”
He declined to confirm that the gunmen were from the adjacent southern Philippines.
But asked whether Philippine authorities
were involved in negotiations, Hishammuddin said: “Of course they will
have to be involved in the operations.”
National police chief Ismail Omar had said
in a statement late Wednesday that “the intrusion is a result of the
problems in the southern Philippines”.
That was an apparent reference to Muslim
militants and other lawlessness in the southern Philippines, which lies
just across the Sulu Sea from Sabah.
Malaysia is predominantly Muslim.
Earlier Thursday Prime Minister Najib
Razak was quoted by The Star newspaper as saying police were negotiating
with the gunmen “to get the group to leave peacefully to prevent
bloodshed”.
“We have surrounded the area and our police and armed forces have the ability to handle the matter,” he was quoted as saying.
The Star’s report added that a tight
security ring including army and naval forces had been thrown around the
“heavily armed” group.
Letting jihadists leave peacefully won’t handle the matter.
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