Nurul Izzah should explain photos with Sulu princess Jacel Kiram

KUALA LUMPUR - Lawmakers from both sides of the political divide have asked PKR Vice President Nurul Izzah Anwar to explain a photograph she took with the daughter of the late self-proclaimed Sulu Sultan who ordered the Lahad Datu intrusion.

The photograph of her and Princess Jacel H.Kiram Hasan holding up a 'release-Anwar immediately sign has gone viral on social media.

Jacel is the daughter of Jamalul Kiram III who sent 200 of his 'Royal Sulu Army' to invade Sabah in Feb 2013.

Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim (BN-Arau) said it was not appropriate to have posted the picture in light of the recent beheading of Sarawakian Bernard Then.

"It is a sensitive issue, so she should explain herself as it has gone viral.

"I know she is a good hearted person and will not do anything bad, but I think she should just explain the photo," he said, adding that it may lead to a negative perception by the public otherwise.

Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong (BN-Ayer Hitam) was also shocked and said that Nurul Izzah was duty bound to give answers about the pictures.

"It was to my rude shock that this happened. Please ask Nurul on what really happened and what transpired between the two as we Malaysians are eager to know. I am not the one involved so I can't tell you what happened,” he said.

Similarly Jimmy Wong (DAP-Kota Kinabalu) said Nurul should explain herself to the public considering the sensitivity of the situation at this point of time.

“I know some of these things are unavoidable but there is no need to post it up on social media,” he said.

But Sandakan MP Stephen Wong came to her defence said although he acknowledges that emotions were still raw over the bloody Lahad Datu incursion led by Jamalul in 2013, no one should blame the latter’s daughter Jacel Kiram for her father’s actions.

“I think Nurul Izzah has the personal right to build a relationship with the daughter (of Jamalul),” he told reporters here.

Lahad Datu Intrusion

At the height of the armed conflict at Tanduo Lahad Datu in 2013 which claimed many lives, this 'princess' Jacel Kiram was the intruders' spokesperson in the Philippines media.

Jacel is actively promoting the Philippines Claim on Sabah. The Sabah Claim is central in her manifesto for her senatorial campaign.

• ESSCom prepared to face second wave of intrusion by Sulu militants
• ‘Princess’ claims Kiram group alive, would free Malaysian hostages   
• Jacel ― the daughter of the elderly Jamalul Kiram, one of the nine claimants to the Sulu Sultanate ― said her uncle Agbimuddin was willing to release the four Malaysian hostages they claim to be holding captive 
•