Cross border attacks in Sabah

Cross border attacks in Sabah
Part of the Piracy in the Sulu Sea, North Borneo dispute and Moro conflict

Attacks by Moro pirates and militants in Sabah from the 19th century to the present
Date8 December 1962[17] – present
(61 years, 11 months, 2 weeks and 3 days)
Location
Result

Security in mainland Sabah was under control, cross border attacks ongoing;

Belligerents

 Malaysia

 Indonesia[1]
 Vietnam[2]
 Singapore[3]
 Thailand[4]

Supported by

Bangsamoro militia support:
Moro Islamic Liberation Front[10]
Moro National Liberation Front (Mus Sema faction)[11][12]

Former Support:
 Philippines (1986–2016)[13]
Abu Sayyaf (1991–2024)

Philippines (until 1986, 2016–present)
Moro Pirates (1963–present)
 Sulu Sultanate (Jamalul Kiram III faction) (2013–present)

Former Sabah invasion supporter:
Moro National Liberation Front (Misuari faction) (2001–2015)[14][15][16]

Commanders and leaders

Anwar Ibrahim
(Prime Minister of Malaysia)
Mohamed Khaled Nordin
(Minister of Defence)
Hajiji Noor
(Chief Minister of Sabah)
Prabowo Subianto (President of Indonesia)
Murad Ebrahim[29]
Mohagher Iqbal[10]
Muslimin Sema[30]
Former leader

PM full list
Radullan Sahiron (current Emir of Abu Sayyaf)  Surrendered
Abdurajak Janjalani  
Khadaffy Janjalani  
Isnilon Totoni Hapilon  

Bongbong Marcos
(President of Philippines)[36]
Phudgal Kiram[37]
(Raja Muda of the Sulu Sultanate)
Various pirates leader
Jamalul Kiram III #
Agbimuddin Kiram #
Ismael Kiram II[37] #
Former support:
Diosdado Macapagal #[38]
Ferdinand Marcos #[39]
Rodrigo Duterte
Nur Misuari (2001–2015)[14][15][16][40][41]
Units involved

NSOF:
Malaysian Armed Forces
Royal Malaysia Police
Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency

Indonesian National Armed Forces
Indonesian National Police

Former Support:
Armed Forces of the Philippines
Philippine National Police
Abu Sayyaf

Moro Pirates

Royal Security Forces of the Sultanate of Sulu and North Borneo
Strength
Malaysian security forces:
British coalition
(until 1966)

Philippine security forces:
uncertain
Indonesian security forces:
uncertain Law abiding Moro rebels:

uncertain
Abu Sayyaf: unknown

Kiram followers:

  • 235[46]
    Moro Pirates: unknown
Casualties and losses
Malaysian security forces:
British coalition
(until 1966)
  • uncertain

Philippine security forces:

Indonesian security forces:

  • uncertain

Law abiding Moro rebels:

Abu Sayyaf:

+10 captured



Kiram followers:

~ The total thought to be higher than what has been shown.

The cross border attacks in Sabah are a series of cross border terrorist attacks perpetrated by Moro pirates from Mindanao, Philippines, in the state of Sabah, Malaysia, that began even before the British colonial period.[60][63] Many civilians have died or suffered during these incidents, causing an increase in anti-Filipino sentiment among the native peoples of Sabah, especially after major attacks in 1985, 2000 and 2013.[64] The attacks were more intense during the presidential terms of Diosdado Macapagal and Ferdinand Marcos, who supported irredentist claims to include eastern Sabah as part of the Philippines territory.[39][61] In addition, recent infiltration and attacks by militants as well as uncontrolled human migration from Mindanao to Sabah has led to more unease sentiments among the local residents of Sabah, with around 78% of prison inmates that were caught in the state due to involvement in criminal activities and lawlessness issues mainly originating from the southern Philippines.[65]

Prior to a large-scale military operation initiated by Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte to combat the rampant lawlessness in the southern Philippines since mid-2016, Malaysian security forces had been told to tighten its security and to ensure that terrorists do not attempt to flee prosecution by escaping to uninhabited areas.[66][67][68] Sabahan leaders also ordered Malaysian security forces to "shoot on sight" any trespassers who continue to ignore laws despite repeated warnings[69] and that those escaping militants be dealt with by the country's laws more effectively.[70] Following the declaration of martial law in the neighbouring Philippines since 23 May 2017, Malaysian authorities increased their border security.[71] Sabah Chief Minister Shafie Apdal also urged the Malaysian security forces to stop taking a defensive attitude and be offensive towards the rampant crimes perpetrated by southern Filipino criminals and terrorists that has disturbed peace in the state.[72]

Various countries and territories such as Australia,[73] Canada,[74] China, France,[75] Germany,[76] Hong Kong,[77] Ireland,[78] Japan,[79] New Zealand,[80] Singapore,[81] South Korea,[82] Switzerland,[83] Taiwan,[84] United Kingdom,[85] United States[86] and Vietnam[87] have raised a travel alert for their citizens to avoid the area in eastern Sabah.

  1. ^ Febrianto (29 March 2016). "Indonesia Tak Boleh Tunduk Terhadap Terorisme Abus Sayyaf!" [Indonesia Cannot Bow to Terrorism of Abu Sayyaf!] (in Indonesian). Rima News. Archived from the original on 25 April 2016. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
  2. ^ "Vietnamese ships to get piracy warnings". Vietnam News Agency. Vietnam Net. 4 May 2016. Archived from the original on 4 September 2016. Retrieved 4 September 2016.
  3. ^ Lim Yan Liang (6 June 2016). "Eng Hen: Joint Sulu Sea patrols a welcome initiative to tackle terror". The Straits Times. Retrieved 14 June 2017.
  4. ^ Ruksith Sitthitool (20 April 2016). "Thailand to be invited by Malaysia as observers for Sulu Sea Patrol". Thai Tribune. Archived from the original on 30 January 2019. Retrieved 14 June 2017.
  5. ^ Ranjit Singh (1984). Brunei, 1839–1983: the problems of political survival. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-582571-8.
  6. ^ Alito Malinao (27 August 1989). "No links with Kiram, says Brunei embassy". Manila Standard. Retrieved 19 June 2015.
  7. ^ Steven Runciman (3 February 2011). The White Rajah: A History of Sarawak from 1841 to 1946. Cambridge University Press. pp. 116–. ISBN 978-0-521-12899-5.
  8. ^ Nicholas Tarling (17 June 2013). Southeast Asia and the Great Powers. Routledge. pp. 58–. ISBN 978-1-135-22941-2.
  9. ^ Marcel Burger (23 January 2015). "Brunei gives four Black Hawks as present to Malaysia". AIRheads. Archived from the original on 24 January 2015. Retrieved 24 January 2015.
  10. ^ a b "Iqbal: Sabah better off under Malaysia". The Manila Times. 14 April 2015. Archived from the original on 4 June 2015. Retrieved 15 April 2015.
  11. ^ "MNLF strongly condemns terrorist acts in eastern Sabah". The Brunei Times. Bernama. 8 March 2013. Archived from the original on 2 October 2016. Retrieved 28 September 2016.
  12. ^ Dharel Placido (31 August 2016). "Misuari wants meeting with Duterte in Malaysia". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved 28 September 2016.
  13. ^ a b Ubac, Michael Lim (7 March 2013). "Aquino: I won't allow Sulu sultan to drag PH into war with Malaysia". The Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on 24 July 2014. Retrieved 5 November 2014. President Aquino said in a statement, 'I appeal to you (Jamalul Kiram III) — we should be really clear on this – this incident is wrong. If this is wrong, why should we (the government) lend support to this? We should support what is right… which will lead us to brighter prospects; the wrong option will only bring us ruin. That's it, that's my simple message.' He also added 'Let's not forget: What they (the Jamalul Kiram III faction) are pushing for is their right as so-called heirs of the sultan of Sulu. It's not yet clear if their rights have been transferred to the Philippines. But we (the Philippines citizens and our nation) will all be affected by their conflict (with Malaysia).'
  14. ^ a b Teoh El Sen (14 March 2013). "MNLF supports Sulu claim, says Nur Misuari faction". Astro Awani. Archived from the original on 5 July 2014. Retrieved 5 November 2014.
  15. ^ a b "Nur Misuari involved, says Zahid". Bernama. MySinChew English. 16 July 2014. Archived from the original on 16 July 2014. Retrieved 5 November 2014.
  16. ^ a b Karlos Manlupig (17 May 2015). "MNLF denies talks with Malaysia over Sabah". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on 17 May 2015. Retrieved 18 May 2015. Misuari, who is hiding after the hostilities in Zamboanga in 2013, maintains his position that only the Sultanate of Sulu can pursue the negotiations for the Sabah claim. Respecting the fervent wish of the late Sultan Muhammad Jamalul Kiram III to let alone the Islamic Sultanate of Sulu and North Borneo (SSNB) to negotiate peacefully with the Muslim leaders of Malaysia to settle the controversial issue in order not to repeat the March 2013 Lahad Datu, Sabah incident, Chairman Misuari has dismissed the media reports as unfounded and without any ounce of truth involving the MNLF in any level talks. The MNLF, however, asserted that the Sabah case is a non-issue because it is the "home-base for different tribal groupings of Muslims from different regions of Southeast Asia that have enjoyed peaceful and harmonious co-existence with the Chinese and Christian populace in the area.
  17. ^ CAPTAIN THE HON. HENRY KEPPEL, R.N. (1846). THE EXPEDITION TO BORNEO OF H.M.S. DIDO FOR THE SUPPRESSION OF PIRACY. Chapman and Hall. pp. 214–.
  18. ^ "Philippines rebel leader arrested". BBC News. 25 November 2001. Archived from the original on 26 September 2015. Retrieved 26 September 2015. Malaysia's Inspector-General of Police Norian Mai said Mr Misuari and six of his followers were arrested at 3.30 am on Saturday (1930 GMT Friday) on Jampiras island off Sabah state. Manila had ordered his arrest on charges of instigating a rebellion after the government suspended his governorship of an autonomous Muslim region in Mindanao, the ARMM. Although the Philippines has no extradition treaty with Malaysia, the authorities have already made clear that they intend to hand Mr Misuari over to the authorities in Manila as soon as possible. Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad had said before the arrest that, although his country had provided support to the rebel group in the past in its bid for autonomy, Mr Misuari had not used his powers correctly. "Therefore, we no long feel responsible to provide him with any assistance," he said.
  19. ^ "Nur Misuari to be repatriated to stand trial". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 20 December 2001. Archived from the original on 5 July 2014. Retrieved 8 July 2014.
  20. ^ Jaymalin, Mayen (25 March 2014). "Over 26,000 Filipino illegal migrants return from Sabah". The Philippine Star. ABS-CBN News. Retrieved 5 November 2014.
  21. ^ Gindol, Kanul (31 May 2014). "'Localised' illegal immigrants helping 'foreign' relatives in Sabah". The Ant Daily. Archived from the original on 3 June 2014. Retrieved 5 November 2014.
  22. ^ Vanar, Muguntan (29 June 2013). "Lahad Datu: Ops Daulat officially ends today". The Star. Archived from the original on 30 October 2013. Retrieved 11 October 2013.
  23. ^ "ESSCOM will continue to hold programmes on security within ESSZONE". New Sabah Times. 22 October 2013. Archived from the original on 29 June 2014. Retrieved 26 October 2013.
  24. ^ Ruben Sario (7 April 2016). "Sabah ceases cross-border trade". The Star. Retrieved 24 November 2016.
  25. ^ Ruben Sario (17 January 2017). "Sabah to lift barter trade ban in east coast from Feb 1". The Star. Retrieved 1 February 2017.
  26. ^ Antonio L. Colina IV (25 January 2017). "Cross border trade between Malaysia and ARMM's island provinces to reopen on Feb. 1". Minda News. Archived from the original on 1 February 2017. Retrieved 1 February 2017.
  27. ^ "Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines agree to intensify maritime security". Antara. 15 July 2016. Retrieved 28 September 2016.
  28. ^ "Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines: Maritime Cooperation Agreement Finalized". Stratfor. 2 August 2016. Retrieved 28 September 2016.
  29. ^ "Moro refugees, immigrants in Sabah should return, develop homeland – Kurup". The Borneo Post. Bernama. 21 January 2013. Retrieved 20 September 2013.
  30. ^ John Unson (11 March 2013). "Sema calls for sobriety, prudence among Moro groups". The Philippine Star. Retrieved 28 September 2016.
  31. ^ "Aquino to meet heirs of sultan on Sabah". Manila Standard. 16 April 1989. Retrieved 6 July 2015.
  32. ^ a b Marites Dañguilan Vitug (11 March 2013). "Sabah, Ramos and Arroyo". Rappler. Archived from the original on 27 September 2015. Retrieved 27 September 2015.
  33. ^ "FVR to PNoy: Meet with Sultan Kiram to address Sabah conflict". GMA News. 6 March 2013. Archived from the original on 27 September 2015. Retrieved 27 September 2015.
  34. ^ Jurgen Haacke (13 May 2013). ASEAN's Diplomatic and Security Culture: Origins, Development and Prospects. Routledge. pp. 187–. ISBN 978-1-136-13146-2.
  35. ^ "President Yudhoyono hopes Sabah problem to be resolved soon". Balita. 9 March 2013. Archived from the original on 22 April 2019. Retrieved 14 January 2014.
  36. ^ Gabriel Pabico Lalu (27 July 2023). "Bongbong Marcos says Sabah issue discussed in Malaysia, focusing on common grounds". INQUIRER.NET.
  37. ^ a b Rashvinjeet S. Bedi (27 January 2015). "Self-styled Sulu Sultan names Phugdal to be Raja Muda". The Star. Retrieved 27 January 2015.
  38. ^ Durian Amina Rasul (14 May 2009). "Basis of the Sabah claim". The Manila Times. Retrieved 19 June 2015.
  39. ^ a b "Marcos order: Destabilize, take Sabah". Philippine Daily Inquirer. 2 April 2000. Retrieved 19 June 2015.
  40. ^ "Duterte: Misuari wants amnesty for Abu Sayyaf". ABS-CBN News. 28 September 2016. Retrieved 30 September 2016.
  41. ^ Nestor Corrales (3 November 2016). "Misuari accuses Malaysia of using Moro people in kidnap-for-ransom activities". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 4 November 2016.
  42. ^ a b Ian Pfennigwerth (2008). Tiger Territory: The Untold Story of the Royal Australian Navy in Southeast Asia from 1948 to 1971. Rosenberg. pp. 69–. ISBN 978-1-877058-65-3.[permanent dead link]
  43. ^ a b New Zealand. Registrar-General's Office; New Zealand. Census and Statistics Dept; New Zealand. Dept. of Statistics (1957). New Zealand official yearbook. New Zealand. Statistics New Zealand.
  44. ^ New Zealand. Dept. of External Affairs (1963). External Affairs Review.
  45. ^ "Army strength in Sabah at the optimum level". Daily Express. 9 September 2015. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 9 September 2015.
  46. ^ Abigail C. Kwok (10 April 2013). "Sulu Governor: No MNLF rescue mission for Filipinos in Sabah". Inter Aksyon. Archived from the original on 7 November 2014. Retrieved 8 November 2014.
  47. ^ a b "Policeman dies in shootout with pirates". New Sunday Times. 24 September 1985. Retrieved 9 September 2015.
  48. ^ a b c d e f Kronologi pencerobohon Lahad Datu [Chronology of Lahad Datu invasion] (video) (in Malay). Astro Awani. 15 February 2014. Event occurs at 1:20. Retrieved 5 November 2014.
  49. ^ "Malaysian cop killed, another kidnapped in Sabah". One News. Television New Zealand. 13 July 2014. Retrieved 5 November 2014.
  50. ^ a b c "Malaysia security forces shoot dead 3 suspected kidnappers in Sabah waters". The Straits Times. The Star/Asia News Network. 9 December 2016. Retrieved 9 December 2016.
  51. ^ a b Ramli Dollah (9 December 2004). "Lanun atau Mundu di Sabah" [Pirates or Mundu in Sabah] (PDF) (in Malay). University of Malaya. pp. 176, 178 and 180 (6, 8 and 10). Archived from the original (PDF) on 30 October 2014. Retrieved 5 November 2014.
  52. ^ Charles Ramendran (26 October 2014). "Intruder shot dead in boat off Semporna". The Sun. Retrieved 5 November 2014.
  53. ^ "1 killed, 11 from southern PHL arrested off Sabah after boat chase – report". GMA News. 17 May 2015. Retrieved 18 May 2015.
  54. ^ "Police shoot dead Filipino wanted criminal in shootout". Bernama. The Sun. 29 September 2017. Retrieved 16 October 2017.[permanent dead link]
  55. ^ Avila Geraldine (4 December 2017). "Gunman killed in shootout with security forces linked to KFR and Abu Sayyaf groups". New Straits Times. Archived from the original on 4 December 2017. Retrieved 4 December 2017.
  56. ^ "Alleged Pinoy intruder shot at PHL-Malaysian border —report". GMA News. 5 September 2014. Retrieved 5 November 2014.
  57. ^ "Two gunmen on the loose in Malaysia with hostage in tow". The Straits Times. The Star/Asia News Network. 9 December 2016. Retrieved 9 December 2016.
  58. ^ Muguntan Vanar (5 November 2014). "Sabah police chief: Penampang robbers were Sulu militants". The Star. Retrieved 5 November 2014.
  59. ^ "Major incidences of Sabah cross-border crimes". The Star. Archived from the original on 23 July 2014. Retrieved 6 November 2014.
  60. ^ a b Stefan Eklöf (1 January 2006). Pirates in Paradise: A Modern History of Southeast Asia's Maritime Marauders. NIAS Press. pp. 38–. ISBN 978-87-91114-37-3.
  61. ^ a b c Masayuki Doi (30 October 1985). "Filipino pirates wreak havoc in a Malaysian island paradise". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 5 November 2014.
  62. ^ "Abu Sayyaf behind Taiwanese man's murder, wife's kidnapping, police say". Taipei Times. 17 November 2013. Retrieved 5 November 2014.
  63. ^ Eric Tagliacozzo (2007). Secret Trades, Porous Borders: Smuggling and States Along a Southeast Asian Frontier, 1865–1915. NUS Press. pp. 115–. ISBN 978-9971-69-385-5.
  64. ^ Charlie Saceda (6 March 2013). "Pinoys in Sabah fear retaliation". Rappler. Archived from the original on 24 October 2015. Retrieved 7 March 2013.
  65. ^ "Foreigners make up 58% of Sabah prison inmates". The Star. Bernama. 19 March 2015. Retrieved 6 October 2016.
  66. ^ "No safe haven for Abu Sayyaf". New Straits Times. 26 September 2016. Archived from the original on 27 September 2016. Retrieved 27 September 2016.
  67. ^ Tracy Patrick (29 March 2017). "Alert for Filipino terror groups". Daily Express. Archived from the original on 30 March 2017. Retrieved 31 March 2017.
  68. ^ "Family ties luring militants to Malaysia". The Star. 3 September 2017. Archived from the original on 10 September 2017. Retrieved 10 September 2017.
  69. ^ "Why no shoot-on-sight yet?". Daily Express. 27 September 2016. Archived from the original on 28 September 2016. Retrieved 27 September 2016.
  70. ^ Muguntan Vanar (27 September 2016). "Sabah CM orders lookout for groups fleeing southern Philippines". The Star. Retrieved 27 September 2016.
  71. ^ "Malaysia to tighten borders after Duterte announces martial law: Report". Today Online. 25 May 2017. Archived from the original on 29 May 2017. Retrieved 25 May 2017.
  72. ^ "Sabah CM: Time to go on the offensive against cross-border criminals". New Straits Times. Bernama. 9 December 2018. Retrieved 18 June 2019.
  73. ^ "(South East Asia) Malaysia". Smart Traveller. Retrieved 27 September 2016.
  74. ^ "(Destination) Malaysia". Government of Canada. 16 November 2012. Retrieved 27 September 2016.
  75. ^ "(Zones de vigilance) Malaisie" (in French). Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, France. Retrieved 7 August 2019.
  76. ^ "Malaysia: Reise- und Sicherheitshinweise (Sicherheit)" (in German). Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Germany. Retrieved 7 August 2019.
  77. ^ "(Outbound Travel Alert) Malaysia". Security Bureau. Archived from the original on 2 October 2016. Retrieved 27 September 2016.
  78. ^ "(Travel) Malaysia". Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Retrieved 27 September 2016.
  79. ^ "マレーシア (Malaysia)" (in Japanese). Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan. Retrieved 27 September 2016.
  80. ^ "Malaysia". Safe Travel. Retrieved 27 September 2016.
  81. ^ "(Travel Notices) Situation in Eastern Sabah". Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Singapore. Archived from the original on 2 October 2016. Retrieved 27 September 2016.
  82. ^ "한국대사관, IS 납치 및 테러 위험 경고" (in Korean). Korean Press. 8 October 2014. Archived from the original on 10 May 2017. Retrieved 27 September 2016.
  83. ^ "(Risques régionaux spécifiques) Malaisie" (in French). Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, Switzerland. 20 March 2019. Retrieved 7 August 2019.
  84. ^ "馬來西亞 - 沙巴州東海岸全區,包含古達、山打根、拿篤、仙本那、及斗湖等沿海地區及鄰近島嶼" (in Chinese). Bureau of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of China (Taiwan). Archived from the original on 14 November 2016. Retrieved 27 September 2016.
  85. ^ "(Foreign Travel Advise) Malaysia". Government of the United Kingdom. Retrieved 27 September 2016.
  86. ^ "(Country Information) Malaysia". United States Department of State. Retrieved 27 September 2016.
  87. ^ Doan Loan (4 May 2016). "Vietnam issues warning over crew abductions off East Sabah and the Philippines". VnExpress. Retrieved 27 September 2016.


Cite error: There are <ref group=note> tags on this page, but the references will not show without a {{reflist|group=note}} template (see the help page).


Developed by StudentB