Sultan Jamallul Kiram – his influence extends to Sulu’s living in Semporna
KOTA KINABALU: The Sultan of Sulu had written to the Semporna district officer to protest the eviction of a civil servant from a government quarters, the Royal Commission of Inquiry on illegals in Sabah was told today.
Semporna district officer A.M Ibnu A.K Baba said this showed the extent of the sultan’s influence in the area where many of the illegal immigrants originated from southern Philippines.
“I assumed the position as district officer of Semporna in 2007, and since then, I have received numerous correspondences from the Sultan of Sulu with regards to the welfare of ‘his rakyat’ in the area.
“There were thousands of illegal immigrants in the district who came over from southern Philippines and they have friends and relatives who have been living here for years,” the district officer told the RCI five-man panel, headed by former Sabah and Sarawak Chief Justice Tan Sri Steve Shim Lip Kiong.
“These illegal immigrants also believe that one day, Semporna will return to its rightful owner, the Sultan of Sulu. Hence, the widespread support for the Sulu royalty.”
One of the Sulu gunmen that was killed in an attack on policemen at Simunul, Semporna on March 1 this year.
Ibnu revealed that prior to the Lahad Datu incursion in February, the Sultan of Sulu had visited Semporna several times to meet “his rakyat”.
He added that this was another indication of the support the sultan enjoyed here.
“Some of these illegal immigrants come to Semporna to trade and barter, but others engage in criminal activities as their main aim is to survive. They do not fear being caught by the police and convicted in court.
“This is because life in Malaysian jails is better than living in southern Philippines, struggling to eke out a living. At least in Malaysian jails, they are fed regularly and have a relatively comfortable stay.”
Ibnu told the RCI panel that the majority of the population in Kampung Sri Jaya in Simunul, Semporna,was mostly of Sulu descent.
Kampung Sri Jaya is where six policemen were killed during an ambush in March when Malaysian security forces engaged the armed Sulu terrorists.
“History shows us that Semporna and southern Philippines share ties which go back decades. Hence the ease in which illegal immigrants from southern Philippines blend in with those who are already residing here,” he said. – The Malaysian Insider
