Saturday, 02 March 2013 17:16

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The so-called royal soldiers of the Sultan of Sulu. Pic: ABN NewsKUALA LUMPUR: It is reported in the Philippines that its intelligence agency had identified three groups of being responsible in instigating the armed Sulu group to intrude into Lahad Datu and one of them is the Malaysian political opposition.

The Philippine Daily Inquirer reported, quoting (Philippines) government intelligence sources as mentioning three groups and they were "...one small faction that is in it for the money, an anti-Aquino administration group, and the Malaysian political opposition.

The report headlined: "Gov't intel eyes 3 groups abetting Sulu sultan's claim" among others reported that the government intelligence "consistently mentioned three groups that appear to have taken advantage of the decision of the Kirams claim to pursue their Sabah claim".

The Inquirer reported: “These are groups that wanted to ride on the Kirams’ pursuit with their own interests in mind,” one of the sources said.

Another source added: “There are a lot who can gain from this, not just in the Philippines but in Malaysia as well.”

These “external factors,” as an Inquirer source described the groups, are one small faction that is in it for the money, an anti-Aquino administration group, and the Malaysian political opposition.

“The Kirams planned to pursue their claim as early as last year. But they went to Lahad Datu also on the instigation of these groups,” the intelligence officer said.

The small group supposedly goaded the Kirams to ask Malaysia for a higher rent on Sabah. If Malaysia gives in, this small group would allegedly have a share of the increase.

The anti-administration group simply wants to discredit President Aquino and is using the peace process as a cause of disenchantment for the Kirams.

“All those who do not like P-Noy (the President’s nickname) have joined forces. This is one way to really test how this administration will react (to such an issue). Whatever happens in Malaysia, there will be a backlash on us,” one source said.

“In a way, whoever wants to disrupt the peace process or the gains of President Aquino has already won,” the source added.

The third group is allegedly the Malaysian political opposition, which is gearing up for general elections that may be called before June.

The intelligence officer said that one member of the Malaysian political opposition allied with Anwar Ibrahim was running for a post in Sabah.

“Apparently, this politician was one of those who spoke with the Kirams. He supposedly gave the opposition’s support to the Kirams’ claim to Sabah,” the source said.

The Inquirer also wrote about a "November meeting" which it detailed how the whole episode started.

While the picture painted by Inquirer is anything but rosy, the issue of Cui Bono or who benefits from the Lahad Datu standoff is definitely of interest.

While the opposition, especially the Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) through its vice-president Tian Chua alleged the Lahad Datu intrusion as a Malaysian Government's conspiracy, and he was berated for saying so, the fact remains that foreign reports have been linking the Opposition to it.

The Inquirer is not the first to do so.

Prior to this, Reuters had reported that a "...Philippine military officer said the men were followers of the heirs of the Sultan of Sulu - an island group off the southern Philippines - who had been invited to Sabah by a Malaysian opposition politician to discuss land issues.

Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim when asked about the Reuters report dismissed it as a statement from Umno even though the international newswire agency had quoted a Philippine military officer in its report.

The Manila Times also reported that the intrusion occurred "... just as former Malaysian leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, also Pakatan Rakyat de facto leader, proposed that Sabah be granted autonomy."

Read the whole report HERE