DEFENDING AND PRESERVING THE NATION’S SOVEREIGNTY ‘OP DAULAT’ UPDATES CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS

12th February 2013 - Armed Intrusion at Lahad Datu

About 150 armed persons in army fatigues intruded into Felda Sahabat, Lahad Datu district of Sabah. The police cordoned off the area and directed the group to lay down arms and surrender.

14th - 28th February 2013 - Negotiations

The intruders were identified to be from the southern Philippines who claimed to be linked to the so-called ‘Sulu Sultanate’.

Rounds of negotiations were held between the intruders and the Royal Malaysia Police to find the best solution without bloodshed. The intruders were asked to leave peacefully.

The deadline for the intruders to leave peacefully passed but negotiations were still in progress to allow the terrorists to retreat.

1st. March 2013 - Shooting Incident at Kampung Tanduo, Lahad Datu

The police dropped leaflets from a helicopter that ordered the armed intruders holed up in Kampung Tanduo, Lahad Datu to surrender.

The intruders at Kampong Tanduo fired shots at a police party. 2 police personnel were killed and 3 others injured. All 12 members of the small group of armed intruders were shot dead by the police in ensuing shoot out. Details of the deceased police personnel can be viewed at this link http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=568872523123059&set=a.546416638701981.130912.161086313901684&type=1&theater

The Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak warned the invaders to surrender, failing which the authorities will take action.

Philippine President Benigno Aquino III urged the intruders to surrender unconditionally.

2nd March 2013 - Shooting Incident in Kampung Simunul, Semporna

Acting on information on the presence of armed intruders in Kampung Simunul and Kampung Sri Jaya, Semporna, a police party was despatched to investigate. Upon arrival at Kampung Simunul the police party was ambushed by the intruders. Six police personnel sacrificed their lives while 2 others were injured. 6 armed intruders were killed by the police. Another armed intruder was killed by villagers at the nearby Kampong Sinalang Lama after he tried to take them hostage. The dead intruder was identified by the villagers to be an imam. Details of the deceased police personnel can be viewed at this link http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=570544079622570&set=a.546416638701981.130912.161086313901684&type=1&theater

3rd March 2013 - Retrieval of Bodies and Rescue of Trapped Personnel

The police despatched a rescue team to retrieve the bodies of police fallen heroes and rescued personnel who were trapped in Kampong Simunul, Semporna. The team successfully executed the mission.

The bodies of dead police personnel were found to have been brutally mutilated by the armed intruders.

4th March 2013 - Military Reinforcement

Seven army battalions were deployed to Sabah.

Two villages- Tanjung Batu and Tanjung Labian were declared “red zones” following reports of gunmen landing there.

The intruders were labelled as ‘terrorists’ after a meeting between the Malaysian Foreign Minister and the Philippine Foreign Secretary in Kuala Lumpur.

5th March 2013 - Unified Action by Malaysian Security Forces

The intruders showed no sign of retreating.

Malaysian PM said security forces have launched “Ops Daulat” to end the stand-off with the terrorists in Kampung Tanduo to defend the dignity and sovereignty of the country.
Malaysian Security Forces (police, army, navy and air force) launched a unified attack at Kampung Tanduo.

Mopping and searching operation followed suit to clear and secure the area.

6th March 2013 - Current Situation

One armed terrorist was shot while trying to ambush Malaysian national security forces.
Area of operation is expanded.

Security situation in Sabah is still very much under control. The public is advised to not to listen to any rumours and speculation.

300,000 local Suluk community in Sabah distanced themselves from the path taken by the armed terrorists. Deputy President of the Sabah Bajau Suluk Cultural Association, Abdul Ali Erilis said that they totally disagree with their (the terrorist) action of intruding into the state, killing and harming members of the security forces.