KUALA LUMPUR: The controversial self-proclaimed Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III and his followers will be arrested and charged soon.
According to a report in Utusan Malaysia today, the Philippines National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) which was investigating the Sulu intrusion into Sabah, has submitted its report to the country’s Department of Justice.
Quoting to the news article, citing a source, it reported that the Sulu group will be charged for three offences including launching a war on a foreign country, possessing illegal firearms and carrying firearms during the election period as during time of the incident Philippines was going through election campaigns.
The source also said that investigation by Philippines authority reveals that the intrusion was planned as early as November last year, before they landed on the eastern coast of Sabah on Feb 12.
It added that the Philippines authority is also looking for Jamalul Kiram’s brother, Agbimuddin Kiram who is reportedly in hiding in the country.
Meanwhile, the sultan's daughter Princess Jacel Kiram yesterday claimed that the family had received information from sources "within the government" about plans to turn in the Kirams to the Malaysian government.
However, according to a report in a Philippines daily, Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda denied the claim.
"It's just a claim...there's none...let's wait for (an) official statement from us," Lacierda had said.
- Astro Awani
