The authorities today warned the armed intruders claiming to be from the royal army of the Sulu Sultanate to
immediately lay down arms and surrender or face dire consequences.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said the gunmen had no alternative following the gun battle yesterday in Kampung Tanduo, 130km from here, which resulted in the death of 12 of them and two police commandos.

He spoke to reporters at the Felda Sahabat 16 plantation, 130km from here, after arriving here today. He is expected to remain in Sabah until the matter of the intrusion is settled.

Soon after arriving at Felda Sahabat 16, Hishammuddin and Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar were briefed by Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Hamza Taib on the gun battle in Kampung Tanduo in Felda Sahabat 17.

In the incident, which occurred at about 10 am, 12 of the armed intruders and two police commandos were killed. Three police commandos were also injured.

At the same news conference, Ismail said the police had no other option but to settle the incident as soon as possible.

"After what happened yesterday, the situation remains under control. The intruders have been cordoned off in Kampung Tanduo by the security forces. We are in control of the situation.

"The group is trapped in Kampung Tanduo. Given this situation, I warn them to give up. We have given them much time. Their action gives us no other option.

"I do not have any other option but to arrest them. I again ask them to lay down arms and surrender. Otherwise, I will have to resort to drastic and necessary measures to end the situation," he said.

He also said that the intruders who surrender would face action under Malaysian law as they have committed a most serious offence.

Ismail said it was life as usual in Lahad Datu and there was no curfew. The area of police operations was confined to Kampung Tanduo, he added.

He said the police had stepped up security and had set up roadblocks.