Deaths of policemen in the attacks as mati katak - PR opposition

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has challenged Pakatan Rakyat leaders to go to the battlegrounds in Sabah to experience for themselves the situation there.

He criticised the Opposition leaders, some of whom had reportedly described the deaths of policemen in the attacks as mati katak.

“They should also go there without being accompanied by security forces. Don’t just go for visit if they think this is a sandiwara (act).

“If they are jantan (men), go face the intruders themselves without the police or army,” he said after opening the Barisan Nasional and Non-Governmental Organisation Car­nival at Rapat Setia here yesterday.

Dr Zahid Hamidi also said the militants should be tried according to Malaysian laws for brutally and inhumanely killing the policemen.

“Some of those who fell in battle were treated cruelly and had their fingers cut off and beheaded.

“This is a matter of national security. We must stand united and rally our support behind our armed forces,” he said.

“The people should respect the efforts and sacrifices made by our security forces and not make fun of them if they are loyal to this country,” he added.

Dr Zahid Hamidi said the security forces were still sweeping the areas in Kampung Tanduo, Tanjung Batu and Tanjung Labian for the militants.

“We will ensure that no Filipino terrorists escape from our dragnet and we want them dead or arrested,” he said, adding that there would be no compromise even if the self-proclaimed Sultan of Sulu Jamalul Kiram III had called for a ceasefire.

Dr Zahid Hamidi said he believed the gunmen would not flee Sabah easily.

“I was at ground zero, I feel that the gunmen will not leave Sabah. They were promised money and land by Jamalul and other leaders,” he added.

Source: The Star