Kiram camp mulls lifting of unilateral ceasefire vs Malaysian forces

The camp of Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III is studying the possibility of lifting the unilateral ceasefire it declared nearly two weeks ago amid the continuing operations against the sultan's followers by Malaysian forces in Sabah. In a report aired on GMA News TV's Balitanghali Monday, GMA News reporter Cedric Castillo said Kiram's camp released the statement after the reported death of another member of the Royal Sulu Force during an encounter Sunday in Kampung Tanjung Batu in Lahad Datu.

 

In a separate interview, Sulu sultanate spokesman Abraham Idjirani said the Malaysian forces have taken advantage of the unilateral ceasefire in their operation to clear-out the followers of Kiram in Sabah.

 

 

Meanwhile, Sabah police commissioner Datuk Hamza Taib said the clash in Tanjung Batu is still ongoing, the report added.

 

Around 62 suspected Kiram followers have been killed in offensives that began earlier this month, according to the same television report.

 

The camp of Kiram declared a unilateral ceasefire last March 7 while maintaning a defensive position, as response to United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's call to end the ongoing conflict in Sabah. Despite this, Prime Minister Najib Razak rejected the ceasefire offer of Kiram's camp as the Malaysian security forces continue their operation against the armed men. — with Amanda Fernandez/RSJ, GMA News