KUALA LUMPUR, March 5 (Bernama) -- The following is the chronology of events pertaining to the intrusion into Lahad Datu, Sabah by an armed group from southern Philippines:
Feb 12: A group of men in army fatigues, believed to be armed, land on the shores of Lahad Datu.
Feb 14: Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Ismail Omar identifies the group as comprising Filipinos. The group claims to be linked to the so-called 'Sulu Sultanate' from southern Philippines.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak says, the Malaysian Government will try its best, including via negotiations, to handle the issue of intrusion before ousting them from the area.
Feb 16: Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein confirms the group is not a militant or terrorist group but is in fact, a strong supporter of the so-called Sulu Sultanate. He stresses the situation in Kampung Tanduo where the group is located, is under control.
Feb 18: Hishammuddin says, the governments of Malaysia and the Philippines are working closely to resolve the conflict, through diplomacy without bloodshed.
Feb 24: The Philippine Government sends a boat under humanitarian mission to ferry the 180 Filipino armed personnel, including 30 guards, who are holding up in Lahad Datu, Sabah since Feb 12.
Feb 26: The deadline to expel the group passes but negotiations are still in progress.
Feb 28: The Malaysian Government is urged to negotiate directly with a 'Sultan Jamalul Kiram III' in Manila to end the conflict of seizing the area in Lahad Datu, Sabah which has prolonged for more than three weeks.
March 1: Two policemen, ASP Zulkifli Mamat and Sgt Sabarudin Daud, are slain while 12 armed intruders are shot dead in a gun battle between the group and security forces in Kampung Tanduo.
March 2: Six policemen are killed in an ambush at the 'water village' of Kampung Sri Jaya Simunul, Semporna. In the incident at 8pm, six of the armed intruders are also killed.
March 3: The bodies of six policemen are taken out of the 'water village' as security forces come to the rescue of 19 policemen in the village.
March 4: Philippine Foreign Affairs Under Secretary Jose Brillantes and Philippine Ambassador to Malaysia J. Eduardo Malaya are reported to have met Defence Minister Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein to seek a peaceful resolution.
The IGP stresses that security in Kunak, Sandakan and Semporna in Sabah is under control.
Police release list of six police officers and men killed in the ambush in Semporna, Sabah.
March 5 (7am): Security forces mount operation as they launch attack using F-18 and Hawk fighter jets on group of armed intruders at Kampung Tanduo in Lahad Datu, Sabah, followed by army and police follow-up operations and searches in the village area.
(8am): The prime minister says the government must take appropriate action to protect its dignity and the country's sovereignty as demanded by the people as the efforts to avoid bloodshed in Lahad Datu was unsuccessful.
(11am): The IGP, in a media conference with Armed Forces Chief Gen Tan Sri Zulkifeli Mod Zin, describes the operation, 'Ops Daulat', as achieving the objectives set.
(1.30pm): The home minister, in a press conference with the defence minister, confirms the security forces did not suffer casualties or injuries.
(4pm): The IGP holds a press conference to announce that follow-up operation and search are ongoing as the police believe the enemy is still in the area.
As at 7pm, the police have not confirmed the total number of armed intruders dead, injured or captured.
Baka nya meh gaya pencerobohan tu, up to 5 Mac 2013. Arap ke Tuhan campur tangan ba hal tu. Sinu ke bala ti diau ba Lahad Datu & Semporna din. Tuhan merkat ke sida semua.
