'Sulu detainees' to be charged this morning

Police today announced that some of those who were arrested with links to the Sulu terrorists will be charged in a temporary magistrate court.

Deputy Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said that the Lahad Datu district police headquarters will be turned into a temporary magistrate court.

“There will be those charged this morning,” Khalid told reporters without elaborating further, saying that details can be obtained from the officers in charge of the temporary courtroom.

Police previously announced those arrested in connection with the armed intrusion which started on Feb 9 in Lahad Datu would likely face charges.

So far, there are 108 arrested under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma) and 256 arrested over other suspected offences, including the Immigration Act and National Registration Act.

Among those arrested include suspected gunmen, uniformed personnel and villagers who might have directly or indirectly abetted the Sulu gunmen.

Some of them were arrested within the red zone where security forces launched an air and artillery offensive on March 4, dubbed “Ops Daulat” to flush out the terrorists.

So far, the reported deaths of the intruders are at 62, while authorities have managed to retrieve 28 bodies. Malaysian security forces suffered 10 casualties.