ANWAR jAWAB TUDUHAN?

Anwar to address Lahad Datu allegations Monday

Anwar Ibrahim

KUALA LUMPUR: PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim has said he will respond to allegations that he had instigated the Lahad Datu standoff, at a press conference tomorrow morning (Monday).

“I will deal with it tomorrow. It is better because it is quite detailed,” he said when met with reporters Sunday.

He said this when asked to respond to an article in Umno-owned Malay daily Utusan Malaysia today quoting unnamed Malaysian military intelligence sources confirming that a meeting took place between Anwar and former Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) leaders several months ago.

The same source also claimed that Sabah State Reform Party chairperson Jeffrey Kitingan had met with one Sulu Sultanate claimant Muidzullail T Kiram, also several month ago.

“According to Malaysian Armed Forces intelligence sources, the meeting between Anwar and Jeffery with the MNLF and Sulu Sultanate representatives is believed to be over certain promises that motivated the group claiming to be the Royal Sulu Sultanate Army to intrude Sabah,” the report said.

This followed Utusan Malaysia’s report yesterday that Philippine media had quoted its own military intelligence sources saying “a top opposition leader in Sabah who is close to (opposition leader) Anwar had met with the insurgents offering his support for the group presently in Sabah,”

Anwar has since vehemently denied the latter’s allegation and is mulling legal action. Meanwhile, the Malay daily Sinar Harian has quoted Jeffrey today denying any involvement in the standoff.

The Lahad Datu standoff since Feb 12 has claimed 14 lives on both sides since a skirmish broke out two days ago.

Separately during last night’s events, fighting has also broken out in Semporna, causing another seven deaths, while reports emerge of an armed group landing in Kunak.

While police are still establishing whether the Semporna and Kunak incidents are related to the Lahad Datu standoff, the Sulu Sultanate has reportedly claimed responsibility for the Semporna shootout.