Sabah police chief dismisses report of Sulu army regrouping

Sabah police commissioner Datuk Hamza Taib dismissed Saturday that the Sulu intruders have regrouped in Lahad Datu, Sabah recently.

The Philippine Star reported today that around 135 of Azimuddie Kiram’s fighters have regrouped and supported by around 100 armed supporters from Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.

The claim was made by self-proclaimed Sulu Sultanate Jamalul Kiram III’s spokesperson, Abraham Idjirani.

Hamza when contact by Astro Awani said there is no such thing because their numbers now have been reduced to less than ten.

“It’s just one of their steps to undermine the (nation’s security) forces. But whatever it is we will be ready (for any possibilities),” he said.

The report from The Philippine Star through Idjirani also claimed of hearing gunfire sounds at night, although he said the gunfire were not aimed at Aziemuddie’s troops.

Since Ops Daulat was launched over a month ago, the nation’s security forces have shot dead 68 Sulu terrorists, arrested 443 individuals for various offences and 121 more under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma).