Azzimudie Kiram, the leader of the self-styled ‘Royal Sulu Army’ is believed to be within the area that Malaysian security forces are ‘sweeping’ around Felda Sahabat in Lahad Datu, Sabah.
 
NONESabah police commissioner Hamza Taib said that Azzimudie, the younger brother of Sulu ‘sultan’ Jamalul Kiram III, is still hiding in the operations area.
 
"We are confident that he is still here because, as a leader who launched the (incursion), he won’t run away.

"He won’t leave his followers or leave them alone. He must lead them," Hamza told a press conference this morning to provide an update on Ops Daulat.
 
As the operation enter the ninth day, the security forces are maintaining tight surveillance of the coastal waters, he said.

Although the area around Kampung Tanduo has been cleared, he said residents may not be allowed to return home until their citizenship and land ownership status are verified.

The decision was made following a meeting between Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, Sabah chief minister Musa Aman and the affected village heads.
 
azlanHamza added that the security forces must deal with the matter in a holistic manner because Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak has declared the east coast of Sabah a ‘Special Security Area’.
 
The armed intruders had taken over Kampung Tanduo, near Lahad Datu town, on Feb 12. After a three-week stand-off, during which they were urged to leave Sabah, Ops Sulu (later renamed Ops Daulat) was launched to dislodge them.

A total of nine police personnel and soldiers have lost their lives, while 56 armed intruders - including former Moro National Liberation Front commander Haji Musa - have been killed in the operations.
 
NONEHowever, the security forces have only retrieved 25 intruders’ bodies to date.
 
Hamza said the security forces are “mopping up” at Sungai Nyamuk and Tanjung Batu, and will retrieve bodies as well.
 
Yesterday, another soldier died in a road accident, while one was injured in the incident.

Hamza said the accident occurred at 7.30am yesterday, when both were on their way from Lahad Datu to Tungku in an army truck.
 
“The passenger was killed and the driver was injured. Police are investigating this under Section 41(1) of the Road Traffic Act 1987,” he said.
 
The police are still trying to verify the identity of a teenager who was shot dead four days ago, he added.

Related stories

Security forces set to 'dominate' three areas

'Complete intelligence failure in Lahad Datu'

Deadly Kg Simunul ambush linked to Lahad Datu intrusion

Philippine navy intercepts 35 more armed Sulus

Sabah NGOs seek UN probe into intrusion impact

Two soldiers killed in Sabah promoted to full Corporal

Sabah - the question that won't go away

Respect rights of Lahad Datu detainees, gov't urged

MILF, Manila to resume talks in M'sia next week

More than 500 Filipino evacuees arrive in Tawi-Tawi

DIGP, don't waste time chasing imaginary ghosts