09 March 2013| last updated at 12:34AM
No sign of terrorists surrendering
HEAVY ATTACK: Second wave of airstrikes, hunger fail to flush them out
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak performing Friday prayers at a mosque in Ladang West, Pulay Carey yesterday. He later launched a housing scheme for Sime Darby workers at Jalan Pantai, Carey Island Plantation, Kuala Langat. Pic by Yazit Razali
AS a second wave of airstrikes were launched at red zone areas yesterday, the Sulu terrorists holed up there continued to defy security forces with no indication that they are going to surrender soon.
However, news out of Manila revealed that the terrorists are suffering from hunger as they are forced to be on the move because of the continuous onslaught by Malaysian security forces.
Yesterday saw the heaviest attack on Kampung Tanduo since Ops Daulat began on Tuesday. Explosions were heard in the wee hours. This was followed by airstrikes in the afternoon and in the evening, explosions were again heard.
The terrorists are also finding it difficult to seek help from their clan in the area as police had conducted a sweep of their sympathisers and supporters, arresting 79 in recent weeks.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar had also said the terrorists were not giving up despite claims by self-proclaimed Sulu sultan Jamalul Kiram III that the "royal army" wanted a peaceful end to the saga.
A claim by the Sulu sultanate that they held four Malaysian hostages and are willing to swap them for a halt in the offensive by the security forces, was scoffed at by police. All security personnel have been accounted for.
As the operations intensified yesterday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak pointed out that what was happening in Sabah now was a glimpse of what it would be like if there was no peace.
In a show of solidarity, Malaysians yesterday also sought divine intervention for a quick solution to the crisis in Sabah.
Sultan of Johor Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar led the way when he performed the solat hajat after Friday prayers. He urged his subjects also to perform the prayers for the souls of those killed in the fighting which began last week.
Similar prayers were offered in other parts of the country. In Sarawak, Christian soldiers prayed for the safety of their colleagues. To date, 52 terrorists and eight policemen have been killed in clashes which began on March 1.
In Besut, the widow of Insp Zulkifli Mamat yesterday received a pleasant surprise when she received a letter of condolence from Najib.
In Sabak Bernam, Najib visited the widow of Sergeant Sabaruddin Daud, Nurunnisa Abu Bakar here where he spent 20 minutes chatting with Nurunnisa, 42, and her children, Haziq Wahiduzzaman, 19, Haziqah Zuhairah, 16, and Hazriq Zafri, 12.
He also presented RM20,000 from Yayasan Kelana Ehsan and a personal contribution to the family.
In the east coast of Sabah, locals and community leaders lauded the Federal Government's initiative in setting up the Special Security Area from Tawau to Kudat. Some described it as a long-awaited answer to the state's coastal security and illegal immigrant problems.
There was also happy news at an evacuation centre in Tanjung Labian, Felda Sahabat, when a 25-year-old woman gave birth to a girl as her neighbours were fleeing the village because of clashes between security forces and the terrorists.
The baby is now a hit at the evacuation centre.
