Hisham: Appreciate the role of security forces
KOTA KINABALU: Malaysia has the capability to rise to any challenge if the people stay united and work together for the country.
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said the Lahad Datu intrusion was an important lesson for Malaysians not to be complacent and to avoid fighting with each other.
“This will only open up space for the enemy to take opportunity of the situation.
“That is why I am not comfortable with the actions of certain quarters that like to attack the integrity and morale of our security forces.
“Therefore, I urge everyone to continue supporting and appreciating the role of the security forces.”
He said this at the “Daulat Feb 2013 Battle Honour” event at Padang Merdeka here last night.
Present were Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman and Armed Forces chief General Tan Sri Raja Mohamed Affandi Raja Mohamed Noor.
The event was aimed at awarding and recognising the contributions of military personnel involved in the Lahad Datu intrusion.
Hishammuddin awarded the Battle Honour to 12 army regiments, nine regiments of the Royal Malaysian Air Force and three regiments of the Royal Malaysian Navy.
He presented National Sovereignty medals to 61 military personnel for their service in Op Daulat. Medal recipient Captain Amar Abdul Aziz, 32, expressed his gratitude to the government for recognising their contributions.
“I was among the first troops sent on Feb 12 (2013) to enter ground zero (Kampung Tanduo). At that time, the situation was tense.”
In February 2013, followers of the self-proclaimed Sulu Sultanate entered isolated Kampung Tanduo within the Felda Sahabat estate in Lahad Datu to stake a claim over Sabah.
First firefight occurred on March 1, killing two Vat 69 commandos. The following day, six policemen were killed by Filipino gunmen, who stormed the Simunul water village in Semporna. The intrusion lasted about three months and ended with two more soldiers killed in the line of duty.