GUNNED DOWN: A forensic personnel showing the remains of terrorists after a post-mortem at Hospital Lahad Datu.— Bernama photo
LAHAD DATU: The intrusion in Sabah by an armed group from Southern Philippine has made the people realise that the responsibility of maintaining peace and preserving the country’s sovereignty involved all Malaysians.
The bloody incident which led to the death of eight members of the country’s security forces had incited patriotic sentiments among the people, regardless of religion, race and political leaning.
The reaction from various parties through the social websites such as the Facebook, Twitter and blogs among others expressed anger at the intruders to the extent that some had offered to join the Royal Malaysia Police immediately and fight together in defending national sovereignty.
Although there were groups alleging that the intrusion was a drama staged by the government helmed by Umno, the people including supporters of the opposition parties criticised the cruel attack by the terrorists and called on everyone not to politicise the matter and urged the people to unite in defending Malaysia.
The people are aware of the importance of defending Malaysia, as a sovereign nation, from negative elements trying to destroy national harmony and stability.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on Thursday assured the people in Sabah that the government under his leadership would do everything to ensure the safety, peace and sovereignty of the Land Below the Wind.
The intrusion by the terrorist group masterminded by Jamarul Kiram III had attacked Sabah on the excuse of claiming the heritage rights of the Sulu Sultanate, which had shamed the Sulu race and was criticised by the Sabah Suluk ethnic group, who had pledged their loyalty to the government to defend the sovereignty of Sabah through a memorandum to the Prime Minister.
A lecturer at the Social Science Study Centre of Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Prof Dr Ahmad Atory Hussein said Malaysians currently realised the importance of unity and defending the country’s sovereignty.
“It is normal for the people to unite whenever such a situation crops up. Now they begin to realise that the issue is not a drama.
“This is a threat to all of us and not (the people of) Lahad Datu alone. Now, I notice that the spirit of patriotism is very strong to the extent that stories about the 13th general election have become less important,” he said when contacted by Bernama.
He said the negative perception on the country’s security forces had begun to be erased when the people realised that the task of maintaining peace was not an easy one. The Deputy Dean of the Social Science Study Centre, USM, Prof Madya Dr Sivamurugan Pandian hoped that the patriotic spirit that was peaking up now
would not be something seasonal.
“This is a matter of security, sovereignty and national peace. I believe no Malaysian supports the intruders but are standing united together with the country’s security forces.
“The spirit of patriotism must always be instilled in whatever situation and cannot be seasonal in nature,” he said.
Meanwhile, a youth in Kampung Tanjung Labian here, Ali John Junaidi, 27, said he greatly appreciated the deeds of the Malaysian security forces in looking after Sabah’s security.
“I’m very angry over the incident. It’s a great pity that the peace that prevailed previously has now turned into chaos and many people are now in fear. I now understand the difficulties faced by police and military personnel in maintaining national security.
“I love Malaysia very much and if possible, I want to contribute something meaningful to the country,” he said.
Saodah Madjusa, 26, also from the same village, felt that it was time for all Malaysians to unite to ensure that Malaysia remained peaceful.
“I don’t want to live as a refugee. This is our country, why should we run away. I will defend my country. If we are united, certainly no one can threaten the peace that we enjoy,” she said.
Saodah hoped that the security forces would get rid of the remnants of the terrorist group immediately.
The ‘Operasi Daulat’ that entered its sixth day yesterday had killed 54 militant intruders while 91 others had been detained in several areas in the east coast of Sabah and investigated under the Security Offences Act (Special Measures) 2012 following the intrusion by the terrorists from Sulu. — Bernama
No comments:
Post a Comment