While waiting for Malaysia's response on his proposed talks, the sultanate of Sulu has declared a ‘jihad’ against Malaysia.
Related story: Kiram eyes 'neutral' countries such as Singapore for proposed talks
Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III said the Malaysian government at this
point leaves them with no other choice but to stand their ground and die
for their right to “live in their homeland” that is in Sabah.
But
instead of meeting with his generals for attacks or reinforcements,
Kiram meets with legal volunteers that could help him press proprietary
rights over Sabah in his Taguig home.
“(The end to this
conflict) depends (but) we always submit ourselves to the almighty
Allah. So meaning, it’s some sort of jihad,” Kiram told Yahoo! Southeast
Asia.
Timeline: Understanding the Sabah crisis
But Kiram’s brother-in-law, Abrahan Idrijani, quickly
interjected, clarifying the Sulu sultanate is referring to a “legal
battle” in insisting their claim of ownership over Sabah.
Idrijani,
who also serves as the sultanate’s secretary-general, explained the
Kiram clan has chosen a jihad in the form of “fighting for the right.”
“There
are many forms of jihad. This jihad is in the form of fighting the
(legal) right. This is not to wage a war,” Idrijani emphasized.
“The
sultanate is now undertaking a jihad for fighting the (legal) right
over the territory of Sabah,” he reiterated on behalf of Kiram
On
Friday evening, Kiram met international law expert Marwil Llasos, who
helped write a book entitled “The Philippine Claims over a portion of
North Borneo: Documents, Materials, and Cases” in 2003.
The
book, which collated documents and legal arguments supporting the
country’s claim over Sabah, is among the documents Kiram showed
Yahoo! Southeast Asia in an interview on Friday evening.
The
Sulu leaders welcomed Llasos’ move to help them elevate their claim to
international audience after President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III’s
strong reservation on the issue.
“We just finished writing
another letter informing the United Nations that Malaysia is not
complying with their call to peacefully end violence in Sabah,” Kiram
said.
“We want them to investigate this genocide. I don’t know why they do not want a ceasefire. It’s very un-Islamic,” he added.
Related story: Kiram ready to go to PH jail
Kiram
said the timing came perfectly as they are contemplating of filing
violations of humanitarian law cases against Malaysian Prime Minister
Najib Razak before the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Idrijani
said the Malaysian leader should be held liable for using the “policy
of genocide” to drive away Tausug people from Sabah to benefit his
political interest at the expense of civilian lives in Sabah.
“We
know very well that last night was the last day of tenure of the Prime
Minister of Malaysia. That’s why he ordered massive attacks because he
wants to gain credit,” Idrijani said.
The Malaysian prime
minister is running a very close race for re-election against opposition
party Pakatan Rakyat, which is led by Anwar Ibrahim.
Ibrahim
has also been linked to plots to derail peace talks between the
Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
Kiram’s
second wife, Celia, claimed the Malaysian officials chose to ignore UN
secretary-general Ban Ki Moon’s call to peacefully end Sabah stand off
to postpone the elections.
“He ordered the attack so there will be no election,” she said.
Llasos,
who also specializes in humanitarian law, explains Malaysia’s defiance
against UN’s call for peace practically tags them as an “international
outlaw.”
“In effect, Malaysia is an international outlaw because
it is not following the UN call for sobriety. In the eyes of the
international community, that is a violation of Geneva convention,” he
explained.
The royal family of Kiram also met with
representatives of the Sabah Claim Society, which offered to sponsor
Kiram’s transportation and accommodation to Europe.
The
five-year old group vows to financially support Kiram and some members
of his family to “socially meet” with international politicians and
audience in Europe to further their claim over Sabah.
Kiram, who
has been undergoing dialysis for one year and three months, also
expressed openness to negotiate with Malaysia in a neutral country like
Singapore, Brunei , or Hong Kong.
He vows to fight for their right in Sabah until his last breath.
Kiram shows 'proof'
