Malaysian authorities will look into the possible involvement of the local political opposition in a three-week standoff in Sabah that led to a bloody shootout between followers of Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III and Malaysian forces Friday.
A report on Malaysia's The Star online said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak directed Malaysian intelligence to look into claims that the opposition was among parties that instigated the Filipino group to reclaim Sabah.
"There are photographs and circumstantial evidence but we need solid evidence to know who really is behind this," he said at the launching of University Malaysia Perlis main campus on Sunday, The Star online said.
He also said Malaysia and the Philippines needed to investigate the matter separately but would "exchange information."
Najib said he is regarding as "serious" the allegation of opposition involvement, but added this should be supported by evidence.
While he said the Sulu sultanate's claim to Sabah was not new, the timing of the action was suspicious.
PHL sends team to Lahad Datu
Meanwhile, a separate report on The Star online said the Philippine Embassy in Malaysia has sent a team to Lahad Datu to assist Filipinos affected by Friday's clash.
It quoted Philippine Ambassador Jose Eduardo Malaya III as telling police Inspector General Tan Sri Ismail Omar that the team was there for a humanitarian and consular mission.
“We would also like to extend consular assistance to the wounded and other affected nationals, and have access to them once practicable,” he said.
Malaya and Philippine Foreign Affairs Department undersecretary Jose Brillantes met with Ismail Saturday morning in Lahad Datu.
The report quoted Brillantes as saying the embassy team would see how it could further work with local authorities to assist its nationals affected by the situation.
Brillantes was dispatched from Manila to Malaysia on Feb. 25 to help the embassy.
The embassy consular team now in Lahad Datu include Consul General Medardo Macaraig, police attache Charlo Collado, Assistance to Nationals officers Mustapha Lucman and Ariel Esparto, attache Joy Calip and police administrative assistant Pastor Reano. — LBG, GMA News
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