Islam Times - Violence may spread in Malaysia’s Sabah: Sultan of Sulu

Islam Times - Self-proclaimed Sultan of Sulu Jamalul Kiram III says violence may spread in Lahad Datu, a town in Sabah state of Malaysia as his followers are angry at the crackdown by Malaysia’s government against them.

Kiram made the remarks on Sunday after fourteen people were killed in clashes between Malaysian police forces and a group of armed Filipino Muslims linking to Tausug tribe, on Friday in Tanduo village.

"The intruders fired at us, then we returned fire," Sabah police chief Hamza Taib said in reference to the Friday clashes.

"As a result of the fire, two of my men died, three were injured and... 12 intruders died," he added.

Violence broke out in the Lahad Datu after the younger brother of Sultan of Sulu, Agbimuddin Kiram led some 100 Muslim Filipinos (aka the Royal Army of Sulu) into the northern village, demanding recognition as the rightful owner of the territory. Reports say the Filipinos landed by boat in the region and occupied the land on February 12.

Sabah state, located on the northern portion of the island of Borneo, became part of Malaysian territory in 1963. This is while, the southeastern Asian country still pays a small amount of rent to the Sulu Sultanate annually.In the 1800s, the sate was designated a British protectorate.