For the first few days of the Lahad Datu incursion we saw DIGP Khalid overconfidently making statements that the negotiations were making headway and peace is at hand. Everybody was happy to hear that. Khalid must have good reasons to say so. What went wrong then that ended in bloodshed?
Najib, busy with his knee-jerk politicking, ready to wash his hands made it known that things are under control, leaving the matter entirely to the duo Ismail-Zulkefli. Unlike the Maunah incident brought about by internal elements, the LD case is of external intrusion and calls for PM's direct intervention.
The Bajak Laut or Suluks are brave seafaring people. Without their fighting the onslaught by the crusaders, Spaniards and Americans and hence Christianisation of that part of Nusantara would be total. Thousands of them died as martyrs. If the crusaders were not stalled by the Suluks God knows what would happen to the whole of Borneo and even the Tanah Melayu.
The perception is that we have been in good terms with the Suluks for centuries. Whatmore, they are Muslims and many of them have found residence and citizenship here. We do not expect them to bite the hands that feed. We were proved wrong. Was our intelligence misled and became lackadaisical?
Was Khalid all by himself to negotiate without help from other parties of influence including the Suluk themselves? We should not exhaust all manner of negotiations even though time-taking which many people would not bear. The point is to avoid deaths. Happy is the day when Muslims kill Muslims for the crusaders.
Money was said that sent them to LD, we could use that weakness in their motive. What is there, say RM10million for purposes of persuasion for peace compared to 10 lives lost on our side. Remember, RM10 million was illegally transferred abroad by NS MB through the money changer. He dared to say that he did not know the rule!
We hold the cards and all options are on the table to deal with the intruders. What needed most was patience from all. Apakan daya, nasi telah menjadi bubur. The war may go on for years to come. The battle has not been won.
For the elitist-Klang Valley-Iskandar-Peninsular-centred development by Najib, Sabah and Felda are fixed-deposits no more. The amount of funds failed to be apportioned for the greater rural development of Sabah (and Sarawak) in terms of infrastructure and economy are now being claimed by their rightful owners multiple fold.
Sabah wants a bridge to link Labuan but Muhyiddin brushed off the idea as if he does not see beyond his nose-bridge. Penang have two bridges made possible by the slumberjack. Now a multi-billion ringgit tunnel may soon emerge.
Felda Sahabat, an oil palm conglomerate is said to be larger than Singapore, has more than 50 schemes. It seems that only several of the schemes are owned by settlers? If that is so, Felda has greviously deviated from its main function to settle the landless. It has become more of a corporation now screwed-up by Najib.
How miserable and neglected are many of the local ethnics, and Bajaus-Suluks (citizens), the latter living in houses of stilts? That Shafie Afdal should know better.
