PHL Embassy rep meets with 8 detained Kiram followers

A representative from the Philippine embassy managed to meet this week with eight followers of Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III presently detained by Malaysian authorities, Malaysia's home minister said Saturday.

Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said the meeting took place last March 27, Wednesday, when the embassy representative visited Tawau prison.

"The Philippine embassy representative was given very opportunity to meet with the eight people detained under SOSMA. Feedback received said the representative was satisfied with the treatment given by the prison authority," he said, according to a report on Malaysia's state-run Bernama news agency.

He did not give further details on the meeting.

Malaysia earlier charged eight Kiram followers with terrorism over the three-week standoff and deadly clashes that prompted Malaysia to conduct offensives against them since March 5.

Of the eight, two face additional charges of waging war on the King, a charge that carries the death penalty upon conviction.

Hishammuddin said the prison authorities also told the Philippine embassy representative the detainees would be provided with counsel.

"We are transparent. Even if he wants to appoint counsel, there is no problem. The guilty still remain as guilty," he was quoted in the Bernama report as saying.

On the other hand, Hishammuddin said there is no reason to doubt the "professionalism" of Malaysian prisons, especially via social media.

He said the 1,085 prison officers in Sabah can control the 4,530 inmates.

Also, he said he was satisfied with the capabilty of the SOSMA in handling the Sabah clashes.

"People said repeal of the Internal Security Act (ISA) left us powerless. However, with SOSMA as replacement, we can balance human rights with national interests," he said.

On the other hand, the Bernama report said the Internal Security Division has opened an operations room in Kota Kinabalu to "disseminate correct information on current developments." It can be accessed at 088-488850.

Offensives to continue

Meanwhile, a Bernama report posted on Malaysia's New Straits Times quoted Sabah police commissioner Datuk Hamza Taib as saying the offensives that started March 5 will go on until all Kiram followers are flushed out.

"It depends on the security situation in the targeted areas and the operations involved," he said, referring to when the operations will end.

Malaysian authorities said security forces have killed 68 Kiram followers and arrested 121 under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma). — LBG, GMA News