A normally cool inspector-general of police (IGP) Ismail Omar today blew his top over former Sabah Chief Minister Harris Salleh's claim that his policemen have been destroying identity cards and other identification documents belonging to the Sabah Suluk community.
"I do not entertain any kind of rubbish talk... I have got no time for wild allegations - whether they are playing politics or what.
“If you say that, then bring me the evidence," he told journalists during a special interview session with the media at the Bukit Aman police headquarters this afternoon.
As he elaborated on the matter, his voice grew louder and he began slamming his fist on the table, his face contorted in anger.
"I have been quiet for some time, but let me say it right now! I don't entertain this rubbish talk. We are facing a situation (in Lahad Datu, where) my men have died.
"Even right now they are at the frontlines and their lives are at stake. Do you think this is playing around?" he exclaimed, as the room of surprised journalists looked on at his outburst.
Ismail said he feels slighted by the various allegations made against the police in a time when his men were risking their lives against the Sulu intruders in Lahad Datu.
'Don’t question police’
"What we need now is patriotism. It's not a time for (criticism)... I have heard a few statements made by certain people, I feel very sad at this point of time.
"If the police are no good, tell me how to improve. If you have money, give the money so I can buy more weapons and cars, not say this and that.
“It's irresponsible, it's not the time for this," said an agitated Ismail.
The IGP then praised the courage of his men and warned against toying with issues of national security.
“Stop! My message to all those responsible (for such allegations) is, stop all these nonsense,” he said at the top of his voice as the room fell into a moment of awkward silence.
A total of eight police officers and a solider have died since the Sulu intrusion first erupted into a clash on March 1.
Sabah-based newspaper Daily Express quoted Salleh claiming that police were destroying identity cards and work permits of the Suluk community in Lahad Datu and Semporna, following the clash between security forces and Filipino Sulu intruders.
Ismail said they treated everyone with dignity, even the enemy, dead or alive in accordance with international conventions.
"If we believe they were Muslims, we would clean the bodies and conduct Muslims funeral rites for them - these are the enemies," he said
Ismail later regained his composure and apologised for his behaviour, requesting television media present not to air his outburst although he allowed for it to be reported in print.
Nigel Aw
The government had never issued any directive to any quarters to issue identity cards (IC) or citizenship to immigrants in Sabah, who were not qualified.
ReplyDeleteAs such, former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said, the people of Sabah could not blame the government during his administration over cases of fraud committed by certain parties for self-interest.
Delete"I am aware the issue (IC project) is getting the attention of the people. I have been told, there were those who were not qualified, having just arrived, who received IC.
Delete"This is not our directive, not the government's directive...this is fraud on the part of the officers in the area because of other interests," he told reporters after delivering a keynote address in conjunction with 'Mind Talk with Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad' at the Papar Community Hall.
DeleteDr Mahathir said this when asked to comment on the opposition campaign trend which was aggressively playing up the issue of 'IC Project' to garner the people's support, in view of the coming general election.
DeleteHe clarified that many people who were not from this country were made citizens because they had stayed in the country for a long time and had mastered the national language.
Delete"Many of us are from other countries, for example from China, Arab (countries) and India. All of them have stayed here for a long time and are loyal to this country. We give them citizenship if they meet the necessary conditions," he said.
DeletePrior to this, the opposition pact, in its 13th General Election manifesto, promised 20 per cent oil royalty to the people of Sabah.
Delete"If they (opposition) want to give (higher)...then, give 100 per cent to Sabah," said Dr Mahathir, who was prime minister for 22 years since 1981 before stepping down in 2003.
DeleteOn the setting up of the special security area, Eastern Sabah Security Command in Sabah, following the intrusion by foreign terrorists in Lahad Datu, Dr Mahathir said the move was apt and timely, seeing the significant security threat in the national waters.
DeleteIn another development, Dr Mahathir, when asked if the government was capable of increasing the oil royalty to Sabah which currently stood at five per cent, said the government's practice was to share riches with all citizens of the country.
DeleteCAN ANYONE HERE EXPLAIN THE ICs freely GIVEN TO 800,000 SULUS AND 5 MILLION OTHERS IN THE 3 COUNTRIES MALAYA SABAH & SARAWAK IN MALAYSIA?
DeleteAND WHY THE UMNO GOV'T FAILED TO DETECT AND STOP THE SULU INVASION?
EVEN NAJIB SAID IN PUBLIC IN 2008 THAT HE WAS AWARE OF THE SECUIRITY RISK POSED LOCAL SULUS BEING RECRUITED INTO THE BSRA?
Ketua UMNO Bahagian Cheras, Datuk Seri Syed Ali Alhabshee sekali lagi mengingatkan pihak tertentu supaya tidak mempolitikkan insiden pencerobohan pengganas Sulu di Lahad Datu, Sabah.
ReplyDeleteKatanya, perbuatan tidak bertanggungjawab itu akan mengeruhkan lagi keadaan disamping mecetuskan kebimbangan orang ramai.
ReplyDeleteSehubungan itu, beliau mahu polis melakukan pemantauan serius kemungkinan ada pihak tertetu khusnya pemimpin pembangkang mempolitikkan kejadian tersebut sebagai bahan kempen menjelang PRU ke-13.
ReplyDeleteKatanya, pencerobohan yang dilakukan oleh pengganas Sulu di Lahad Datu merupakan perbuatan bertentangan dengan kehormatan sesebuah negara.
ReplyDelete"Oleh sebab itu pasukan keselamatan kita terpaksa melakukan tindakan tegas termasuk melancarkan serangan besar-besaran bagi mempertahankan kedaulatan wilayah tersebut setelah sekian lama bersabar ," katanya.
ReplyDeleteBeliau menyelar pihak tertentu terutama pemimpin pembangkang di negara ini yang dikatakan menyifatkan pencerobohan di Lahad Datu yang mengakibatkan pasukan polis mati dibunuh sebagai sandiwara UMNO menjelang PRU ke-13.
ReplyDelete"UMNO tidak sesekali memperjudikan nyawa manusia untuk kemenangan pilihan raya, ini soal maruah, keselamatan rakyat Sabah dan kehormatan negara secara keseluruhannya," tegas beliau.
ReplyDeletePersatuan Rumpun Etnik Suluk Sabah(PRESS) menyangkal dakwaan melalui laporan media luar negara kononnya terdapat warga Filipina, khususnya yang berketurunan Suluk, ‘dikasari’ pihak berkuasa Malaysia ekoran kes pencerobohan pengganas di Lahad Datu.
ReplyDeleteSetiausahanya, Mohd Zaki Harry Susanto berkata berdasarkan maklum balas dan pemantauan anggota persatuan itu, ternyata laporan berkenaan hanya satu tohmahan yang sengaja dibuat untuk memburukkan imej negara ini di mata dunia.
ReplyDeleteApa yang sebenarnya berlaku ialah mereka (warga Filipina) boleh mencari makan dengan baik di negara Malaysia yang tercinta ini, dan tiada masalah bagi mereka untuk menikmati kehidupan seperti keadaan sebelum ini.
ReplyDelete“Jadi, tidak benar mereka dilayan sedemikian rupa seperti yang digembar-gemburkan oleh media luar negara, malah kami juga difahamkan tiada laporan polis dibuat berhubung isu (warga Filipina dikasari) setakat ini,”
Mohd Zaki juga menyangkal dakwaan terdapat pemusnahan dokumen pengenalan diri sama ada kad pengenalan, pasport atau dokumen IMM13 di kalangan suku kaum Suluk di Sabah.
ReplyDelete“Setakat ini, tiada laporan polis dibuat berhubung perkara ini, dan kalaulah ada orang Suluk yang memegang dokumen yang tulen dan dokumen mereka telah dimusnahkan oleh pihak tertentu, kami merayu kepada mereka untuk tampil membuat laporan polis,
Dokumen IMM13 merujuk kepada pas khas yang dikeluarkan Jabatan Imigresen kepada pelarian tulen Filipina akibat perang bagi membolehkan mereka tinggal sementara di negeri ini.
ReplyDeleteMohd Zaki turut berharap rakyat negeri ini tidak terus ‘menghentam’ rakyat Malaysia berketurunan Suluk, terutama di media sosial.
ReplyDelete“Kami telah memutuskan mulai hari ini, kami akan memantau semua media khususnya media sosial, supaya tidak terus memperkecilkan etnik Suluk tempatan di Sabah.
MELUAT LAH ASYIK ASYIK MANTERA,AMBUYAT,DRAKO....KAMU SAJA KAH PUNYA SABAH NI..?........
ReplyDeleteThe probe into the armed intrusion in Lahad Datu early this month will come in the form of either a White Paper or a Royal Commission of Inquiry, Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said.
ReplyDelete“Be it a White Paper or RCI, I am confident it will be set up once things are settled in Sabah,” he said after launching the Gombak Barisan Nasional Youth election machinery in Kuala Lumpur.
ReplyDeleteHishammuddin said a thorough probe was needed in various aspects of the incident, including third-party involvement and rumours that spread fear.
ReplyDeleteCiting an example, he said a recent Sulu wedding entourage led to rumours of more armed intruders.
Delete“Be wary of information on Lahad Datu that is spread via SMSes and the Internet, as 80% are false,” he said.
ReplyDeleteOn a related issue, Hishammuddin said the authorities are aware of claims that Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahom had met Moro National Liberation Front leader Nur Misuari on five occassions between July 16 last year and last month.
ReplyDelete