Close to 100 civil society organisations from Malaysia, the Philippines and other Asian countries have called for the immediate implementation of a "humanitarian ceasefire" so that innocent women, children, the elderly and vulnerable persons will not be affected by the ongoing crisis in Lahad Datu.

Suaram in a joint statement with the NGOs said safe zones should also be provided for humanitarian organisations and agencies to set up facilities to treat the wounded and those requiring medical and welfare care.

"NONEWe, the undersigned civil society organisations (CSOs) from Malaysia and the Philippines, are concerned over the ongoing standoff between Malaysian security forces and followers of the Sultanate of Sulu's heir, Jamalul Kiram III, at Lahad Datu, Sabah.

"The CSOs, together with all individuals, organisations and networks, urgently call upon President Benigno S Aquino III, Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and Sultan Jamalul Kiram III to disavow all forms of violence and instead support dialogue as the primary mechanism for a resolution to the siege," the statement says.

The CSOs are concerned and worried about the security of civilians in Lahad Datu, Semporna and the surrounding villages and want to see a peaceful solution to resolve this ongoing problem.

They also called for:Immediate steps be taken, to end the use of violence and to engage in dialogue with all stakeholders to resolve the crisis peacefully;
  • Proper measures to be taken to ensure that the human rights of civilians in Lahad Datu, Semporna and the nearby areas are respected and protected;
  • The taking of immediate measures to secure the safety of journalists accessing the area at all times, ensure fair reporting and dissemination of information to the general public;
  • The ceasing and desisting of the use of excessive force and armed violence to end the prevailing conflict; and,
  • The initiating of an independent and impartial investigation into the killings that have taken place and for the findings of the investigation to be made public.

The CSOs also expressed concern over the lack of real-time information, saying that information from Malaysian news media have created unnecessary rumours and assumptions about the situation.

"Time is of the essence. The world is looking at you, now," Suaram and the other signatories said in the statement.

NONETo date, the week-old skirmishes have resulted in 60 people killed, including eight Malaysian police officers. So far 52 Filipinos, followers of the self-proclaimed Sulu ruler Jamalul Kiram III, have been killed and 10 arrested.

Apart from Suaram, the other the Malaysian NGO signatories include Tenaganita, Women's Centre for Change; JUMP, Aliran, Malaysian Physicians for Social Responsibility, Centre for Orang Asli Concerns, Jaringan Rakyat Tertindas (Jerit), Justice for Sisters and Seksualiti Merdeka.

Among the others in the list are Pusat Komas, Persatuan Masyarakat Selangor dan Wilayah Persekutuan, Community Action Network, Persatuan Sahabat Wanita Selangor, Community Development Centre, Parti Sosialis Malaysia, Malaysia Youth & Students Democratic Movement, All Women's Action Society and Persatuan Kesedaran Komuniti Selangor.