Lahad Datu Intrusion In Malaysia's Sabah A Lesson In Unity

By Sakini Mohd Said BANGI (Selangor, Malaysia), Sept 14 (Bernama) -- The Lahad Datu intrusion episode in east Malaysian state Sabah early this year, was a wake-up call to Malaysians on the importance of protecting the nation's sovereignty. It also taught Malaysians that constant vigilance and unity were crucial in maintaining peace and public order. "Much can be learned from the Lahad Datu incident. It was a litmus test for the level of integration and unity among the people of the Peninsula, Sabah and Sarawak," said Abdul Ghapa Harun, senior lecturer at the School of Politics, History and Strategy Studies of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM or National University of Malaysia). Besides Sabah, Sarawak is also located in east Malaysia. He said the intrusion of armed terrorists from South Philippines was a dark chapter in the nation's history, but there was much that could be learned from the episode. ONE VOICE Besides gaining a deeper understanding of the meaning of independence, he said, the incident also ignited the patriotic fervour within Malaysians. Abdul Ghapa said Malaysians had put aside their political beliefs and other differences and shared the intense grief and anger when the terrorists not only killed their countrymen, but also mutiliated their corpses. Eight Malaysian policemen and two soldiers were killed in line of duty during Ops Daulat (the successful operation to flush out armed Sulu intruders). "Malaysians felt angry and threatened. It was as if their own house had been broken into. The anger we shared was a good sign that patriotism is alive and well within us. We stood united when the nation's sovereignty was challenged," he said. He said warning signs of a disunited nation would be complacency or resentment even in times of trouble, yet relying solely on the government to take any remedial action. SHARED GRIEF However, during the Lahad Datu tragedy, Malaysians were united not only in their support for the government in fighting the terrorist but also in sharing their grief for the fallen heroes and the families that they left behind. Many wept looking at the faces of the grieving widows and their children who had yet to understand the fate that had befallen them. Although they were not equipped with arms or trained to fight in the battlefields, Malaysians still helped in their own way. They showed their support to their fellow countrymen in Sabah by collecting funds, holding prayers and ensuring the needs of the residents relocated to shelters were taken care. Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak and wife Rosmah Mansor also came down to visit the families of the fallen heroes to express their condolences and appreciation for their sacrifices. THE SPIRIT OF 1MALAYSIA Apart from that, the Lahad Datu incident also highlighted the fact that Sabahans, Sarawakians and the people from Peninsula are one and every ready to help one another. The security personnel deployed from Peninsula were well received by the locals. This also goes to show people of Peninsula do not view Sabah as a different state but very much part of Malaysia. JOINT EFFORT The situation in Lahad Datu was so tense that at one point, the government declared Emergency in several localities. Despite the troubling scene, locals were very welcoming and accommodating towards soldiers as well as media and agency workers. Security control has since been heightened in Sabah to safeguard the peace and safety of its people. Efforts include the deployment of soldiers from the Peninsula and by creating the Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM). ESSCOM is the enforcement agency for the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (ESSZONE) covering 10 districts across 1,400km off the east coast of Sabah. HONOUR THE HEROES The Lahad Datu tragedy opened the eyes of Malaysians on the importance of the role of security forces in maintaining the peace and sovereignty of the nation, said Abdul Ghapa. Some don't appreciate the role of the armed forces in today’s world, as soldiers are usually only seen during parades, expos, exhibitions and minor emergencies. "People take for granted their role during peaceful times. Few give them the recognition and gratitude they deserve," he said. --BERNAMA