The Philippine government appears to be doing very little towards supporting a Philippine Muslim clan which demands that their rights are taken seriously in Sabah. It appears that approximately 200 followers of the Royal Army of Sulu are deemed to be a threat to the national security of Malaysia. Therefore, the military approach by the government of Malaysia could create a higher risk if the uneven struggle leads to a bloodbath. Ironically, in the past both Thailand and the government of the Philippines have castigated Malaysia for supporting Islamic insurgencies within their respective nations. However, the sham of Muslim unity in Malaysia – where Shia Islam is outlawed – is clear for all to see by the response of the military attack against the Royal Army of Sulu. This applies to using the Royal Malaysia Air Force so quickly against such a small number of forces which are loyal to the Sultanate of Sulu. Reports have stated that the Royal Malaysia Air Force have been using F/A-18 and Hawk military fighter jets. Yet, if the military crackdown kills the majority of followers of the Royal Army of Sulu then this may open a can of worms? After all, this will put pressure on individuals within the Moro National Liberation Front (several factions) and other groups within Muslim dominated areas in the Philippines. It is clear that Malaysia had to respond to the incursion (from the point of view of Malaysia) but the heavy handed tactics so soon against such small numbers appears over the top. At the same time, the Philippine government should not just sit back and allow Malaysia to have a free hand because this will reverberate negatively within Mindanao and other parts of the region. Therefore, it is imperative that the Philippine government takes a more active approach and tries to quell the military angle by demanding proper negotiations. The Malaysia Chronicle reports that “Malaysian security forces are now facing battle-tested, Malaysian-trained commanders of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), who know Sabah like the palm of their hands.” “Hadji Acmad Bayam, former chief propagandist of the MNLF, revealed this yesterday to the Manila Bulletin, adding that these MNLF forces may have at their disposal a huge arsenal, which they hid deep in Sabah’s rugged terrain when they returned to the Philippines after their rigid training.” In the past the government of Malaysia involved itself in Muslim insurgencies in the Philippines and southern Thailand. Therefore, while the crisis is still in the initial stages and without knowing if it will be contained quickly – or if it will create a chain reaction. It is still clear that this is blowback, just like what is happening in Pakistan with relationship to Afghanistan. Similarly, the same applies to September 11 whereby America also used Islamists in Afghanistan and parts of the Balkans aimed at the Serbs. Of course, the degree of blowback is much smaller because only around 200 members of the Royal Army of Sulu have entered the contested area. Yet events could spiral if the Malaysian armed forces are seen to be heavy handed and images spread to areas which are sympathetic to their cause. At the same time, the Philippine government risks alienating a troubled region within the Philippines whereby Muslims claim that they face discrimination within this country. Therefore, political leaders in Manila should play a more active role. Prime Minister Najib Razak of Malaysia stated that “We want the militants to unconditionally surrender and hand over their weapons.“ He continued by stating that if they don’t surrender to Malaysian authorities then it will take “for as long as it takes to eliminate them.” The BBC states that “Malaysia has rejected a call for a ceasefire by a Philippine Muslim clan who launched an incursion into a village in Sabah last month, saying the land belongs to them.” “Since fighting began, 60 people have died: 52 Filipinos and eight policemen.” “Malaysian National Police Chief Ismail Omar was quoted as saying that at least 31 Filipinos have been killed this week.” According to the Royal Army of Sulu they claim that their ancestors ruled parts of northern Borneo in the past for long periods of history. Therefore, they are demanding that the government of Malaysia recognizes this fact and pay adequately for leasing their land. The Philippine Daily Inquirer comments that “Kuala Lumpur on Thursday rejected a ceasefire offer by the sultan of Sulu despite a call from the United Nations for an end to the violence in Sabah that has already cost 60 lives and talks among the parties involved to peacefully settle the dispute over the ownership of the eastern Malaysian state.” The United Nations also released a statement which stated that the “[Secretary General Ban Ki-moon] is closely following the situation in Sabah. He urges an end to the violence and encourages dialogue among all the parties for a peaceful resolution of the situation….The secretary general expresses concern about the impact of this situation on the civilian population, including migrants in the region.” Given the volatility of parts of the southern Philippines and the role of Malaysia in arming past Muslim insurgencies against this country, then clearly military hardware is easily available. This reality should lead to both governments in Malaysia and the Philippines to work together in order to contain the crisis. In order for this to happen, then Manila needs to play a more active role within the events which are currently happening. Likewise, Malaysia needs to listen to the aggrieved party and to solve the crisis more diplomatically because around 200 individuals should not be a threat to the national security of this country. However, if a heavy handed response is used to the maximum then this could trigger a chain reaction and neither nation state will gain from this. http://globalnation.inquirer.net/67661/kl-reports-32-more-dead http://www.malaysia-chronicle.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=64572:brick-wall-for-najib?-moro-fighters-to-help-sulu-gunmen-upset-at-killing-of-imam-maas-4-sons&Itemid=2 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-21695654 leejay@moderntokyotimes.com http://moderntokyotimes.com