Hishammuddin Announces Red Alert On Sabah After Abu Sayyaf Leader's Video
Defence Minister, Hishammuddin Hussein has announced his concerns over the paramilitary group that has committed themselves to establishing the Islamic State (IS) covering Sabah, Sarawak, Brunei and parts of Indonesia.
By Judith Yeoh — 22 Sep 2014, 12:15 PM — Updated over 10 years ago
On 21 September, Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein Announced Reports That Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) Has Plans For Sabah To Be Included In The Islamic Caliphate
The southern Philippines, Mr Hishammuddin said, is home to groups such as Abu Sayyaf, which recognises and supports ISIS, and the Moro National Liberation Front, a paramilitary group committed to establishing an Islamic caliphate that covers Sabah, Sarawak, southern Philippines, Brunei and parts of Indonesia.
"I do not intend to scare Sabahans but see what is happening in Iraq and Syria, it’s not impossible for the threat to come to Sabah because that is their struggle.”
Sabahans have been warned not to take threats to their security lightly in the wake of reports that the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) plans to include their state in an Islamic Caliphate stretching from the southern Philippines to Indonesia.
Sarawak And Brunei Were Also On The List
The southern Philippines, Mr Hishammuddin said, is home to groups such as Abu Sayyaf, which recognises and supports ISIS, and the Moro National Liberation Front, a paramilitary group committed to establishing an Islamic caliphate that covers Sabah, Sarawak, southern Philippines, Brunei and parts of Indonesia.
The Red Alert Was Raised After A Youtube Video Uploaded In July Gained Momentum Recently. The Video Shows Isnilon Hapilon, The Leader Of Abu Sayyaf Swearing Allegiance To The IS (Islamic State).
In a video posted on YouTube, Abu-Sayyaf leader and one of the most wanted terrorists Isnilon Hapilon swore allegiance to IS and its head Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in the form of baiah or oath of loyalty.
Image via asiaone.comAlready, he added, Muslim secessionists in southern Philippines have pledged their allegiance to the Islamic State (IS) in Iraq and Syria. “This can be seen in a YouTube video uploaded on the net.”
A red alert has been raised in Sabah following an open declaration of support for the Islamic State (IS) movement by Isnilon Hapilon - one of the most wanted terrorists with up to RM16mil (S$6.3 million) bounty on his head. The 48-year-old Abu Sayyaf leader, along with masked men, posted a video of themselves on YouTube in July but intelligence sources said it gained momentum on social media last month.
48-Year-Old Isnilon Hapilon Is One Of The Most Wanted Terrorists Today. He Has A RM16 Million Bounty On His Head.
In the video, which appeared to be shot in the jungles of southern Philippines, the IS movement's symbolic black flag is depicted in the opening scene. In the six-minute clip, Hapilon is seen wearing a black gown, linking his arms with his men, some of whom wore masks.
Speaking mostly in Arabic and in his native dialect of Yakan, they swore allegiance to IS and its head Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in the form of baiah or oath of loyalty. The video clip provided security agencies with the most updated photograph of Isnilon, who appears to have gained weight after previous photographs showed him to be a much thinner person with reports that he had suffered a stroke at one point.
The Six-Minute Long Video Is Believed To Inspire Support In The Southeast Asian Region. In Other Words, Part Of Their Social Media Campaign To Recruit More Followers.
It is believed that the video was meant to inspire support for the IS movement, especially in South-East Asia. The video was soon followed by Jemaah Islamiah (JI) spritual leader and founder of its reincarnation, Jemaah Ansharut Tauhid (JAT), Abu Bakar Baasyir calling on his followers to join IS.
What Else Worries Hishammuddin Besides The Threat On Sabah?
The Malaysian intelligence's concern is that Isnilon and his men can easily travel into neighbouring Sabah from their base.
"So, this is the threat facing Sabah if it is swayed by political polemic sentiments filled with racial and religious issues. This is the rift that exists in other countries exploited by certain quarters. "I take the opportunity today to remind Umno leaders and the people of Sabah that there are limits and restrictions in our politics, there are limits and boundaries for us to secure a seat and power.
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"In the event of what happens in countries that 'do not pass the test during these trying times', all the high positions and high ranks will become meaningless. If the country is thrown into chaos and the people are not united, the country will eventually be taken over by irresponsible parties," he added.
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What Does He Assure Malaysians?
He hastened to add that the security situation, based on intelligence reports, was under control and there was nothing to be alarmed about. The bottom line, continued Hishammuddin, was that the security of Sabah was provided for by the Federal government and not the “secessionists” including those in the southern Philippines seeking to pull out the state from Malaysia.
“We are the ones fighting hard and dying,” said the Defence Minister referring to the ten deaths suffered by security forces following the incursion in Lahad Datu in February last year by a ragtag bunch of claimants to a defunct Sultanate in the Sulu Archipelago.
He Says Malaysian Authorities Have Been Monitoring IS Developments "Very, Very closely... Especially In The Context Of Sabah."
Malaysia has stepped up regional cooperation on intelligence sharing to counter the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS), especially the danger that Islamic militants pose to states such as Sabah, Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said. Datuk Seri Hishammuddin's remarks at a press conference yesterday followed Australian news reports that funds linked to a convicted terrorist had been transferred to a Malaysian account.
"I can confirm that (following) developments in Iraq and Syria with regard to ISIS and repercussions of that in our region, (we have) refocused on intelligence sharing... and I have already put in place channels for the sharing of information with international intelligence agencies," he said.
According to The Australian, Bisotel Rieh Global Money Transfer, a money remittance firm linked to a convicted terrorist, is under investigation over A$9 million (S$10.3 million) in missing funds, including RM110,000 (S$43,300) to an unnamed Malaysian. Home Affairs Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said yesterday that police had already begun investigations prior to the news report and it would be up to their Australian counterparts to take action.
Malaysia Has Been Clamping Down On Islamic Militancy This Year As The IS Is Seen Doubling Up On Aggressiveness
Earlier this year, a nationwide crackdown nabbed 19 people suspected of ISIS links, seven of whom are to be charged next month. The Star yesterday also reported that security at all immigration checkpoints has been tightened following reports that four ethnic Uighurs linked to ISIS had transited in Malaysia before they were detained in Indonesia.