No one is dishonouring the memory of the brave men who died defending Sabahans from invaders, but our leaders appear to be largely responsible for the debacle.
COMMENT
Many
lives might have been saved if Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak had
apprehended the armed Suluks in Lahad Datu, with the same speed as
taking legal action against the vice-president of PKR, Tian Chua.
On March 1, Tian Chua allegedly defamed Umno in an article on
KeadilanDaily.com, entitled, “Shooting Incident in Lahad Datu Umno’s
Planned Conspiracy — Tian”. Four days later, on March 5, Najib
instructed Umno secretary-general Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor to take
legal action against Tian Chua for linking Umno to the armed intrusion
in Lahad Datu.
Tengku Adnan said, “This is because the accusation is baseless and
very serious with the evil intention of damaging Umno’s image,
reputation and credibility.”
Malaysians are already aware of Umno’s tarnished image, its terrible
reputation and questionable credibility. Will Umno go after every
individual who speaks ill of the party?
No one is dishonouring the memory of the brave men who died defending
Sabahans from invaders, but our leaders appear to be largely
responsible for the debacle.
It is common knowledge that our shores and borders are porous, but the government appears to have no remedy.
In the past weeks, illegal immigrants who are accustomed to living
and working without hindrance throughout Malaysia are exercising more
caution. In Sabah, they are staying away from their usual stalls and the
corners where they normally trade. This security crisis has forced the
police and immigration staff to be more conscientious in the checking of
Identity Cards and other identification papers – in the past, they were
very lax.
Marine patrols were increased following the kidnap of two Malaysians
last November. It is a fact that there are several layers of
intelligence and security surveillance, so how could more than 100 armed
and uniformed militants enter Lahad Datu unchallenged? The apparent
lapse in security lends credence to a conspiracy theory.
The timing
Another factor which goes against Umno is the timing. The breach in
security happened in the critical days before the announcement of GE-13.
Najib’s popularity has dropped recently and it is widely believed that
his intelligence services have predicted a crushing defeat for Umno.
A declaration of emergency rule would suspend elections and in that
period, some political pundits claim that Najib would initiate all
measures, both legal and illegal, to ensure a win.
Can anyone blame the talk of an Umno drama? Even the Election
Commission (EC) chairman Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof has warned of a
postponement of elections in selected areas.
Details of Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s “Project M” were disclosed in the
Sabah Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI), and confirmed the suspicions of
many Malaysians. Sabahans began to look on each other with fear,
apprehension and mistrust.
Mahathir’s admission is tantamount to treason, but no Umno leader has
censured him. Tian Chua may have been guilty of insensitivity, but
Sabah’s predicament was caused by one power-hungry, crazed former PM,
Mahathir, who gave the nation away.
Najib ordered a probe into Anwar Ibrahim’s alleged links with this
incursion. He is trying to discredit the opposition, so why is Tian Chua
being sued for defamation?
Mahathir caused outrage when he intimated that the slow response of
the armed forces was because Muslim militants were involved and Muslim
blood should not be spilt.
When news of 100 armed and uniformed men first broke, Malaysians
feared the worst, but Najib continued his electioneering in peninsular
Malaysia. Najib preferred to play politics and disregard the escalating
hostilities.
Najib erred but did not dare admit his guilt and apologise for taking
weeks to act. He and his ministers travel with security cordons; their
homes are well guarded. They have no sense of urgency and are totally
disconnected from the man on the street.
Najib ordered a news blackout and journalists were prevented from
entering the area. So we sourced the papers in Manila for details about
the incursion. Why should Najib blame people for incriminating Umno?
Najib is to be blamed for hiding the truth.
To this day, we are not privy to the demands of the Suluk militants.
There have been allegations that Najib had promised the militants land
for resettlement. When he allegedly reneged on his deal, Lahad Datu was
invaded. It is ironical that Najib was on a BN propaganda drive in
Perlis promoting another “Janji-ditepati” stunt, whilst in Sabah, the
Suluks invaded because Najib allegedly broke his “janji” to them.
Horrible truth
In the end, the RMAF’s weapons were unleashed on the hide-out. These
well-armed, trained and disciplined militants are adept at guerilla
warfare and disappeared into the undergrowth, much like the Vietcong in
the Vietnam war. At the end of the firestorm, around 50 bodies were
recovered. Some people have expressed scepticism about the captured
militants who were paraded for the press.
One person said, “The detainees wore gleaming white shirts with no
marks or tears. One even wore a BN shirt. The men did not show any signs
of being holed up for four weeks. They did not appear to be disheveled,
unkempt or even battle weary. They do not fit the picture of seasoned
mercenaries.”
Another observer said, “The Tourism Minister Ng Yen Yen did not deter
tourists from Sabah and claimed that the Sabah Tourist Board was
getting 12 hourly updates. What about relaying this news to the rakyat?
Many of us have family and friends in that part of the world. Yen-Yen’s
announcement goes against the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office
warning to stay away from the east coast of Sabah, unless for essential
travel.”
Najib has only himself to blame for making people believe that Umno
is linked to this incursion. He ordered a news black-out. His ministers
were slow to act. Tony Blair took his country into the Gulf War on the
strength of a lie – Saddam Hussein’s weapons of mass destruction.
The militants’ presence was revealed a month ago but Najib did not
see fit to boost troop and police morale, or more importantly, reassure
the Sabahans with a visit. One political observer has alleged that Najib
thought a visit was not necessary because it was a put-up job that he
arranged.
Najib did not think the matter was of sufficient moment to discuss in
parliament. It was only after hell was unleashed on the Felda
settlements, and seven battalions dropped into the area, that Najib came
for a photo-opportunity with the soldiers.
Najib would like to think that the image of a conquering hero is enough to boost support for BN in GE-13.
His optimism is premature because when the smell of propellant has
gone, he would still have to answer some simple questions: Who did not
take care of national security? Who allowed illegal immigrants in? Who
distributed MyKads and citizenships as freely as BR1M handouts? Whose
prevarication cost the lives of many security personnel?
There is much about this incursion that Umno has hidden from public
scrutiny but the horrible truth would eventually emerge, no matter how
hard Najib may strive to hide it.
Mariam Mokhtar is a FMT columnist.
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