Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein finds PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar’s decision to take a photograph with self-styled Sulu princess Jacel Kiram revolting.
A total of 78 people, including Malaysian military personnel, were killed in the 2013 stand-off at Lahad Datu after the self-proclaimed Sulu sultanate attacked the area to claim Sabah as Sulu territory
“Despicable!” Hishammuddin said on Twitter.
He was responding to Housing, Local Government and Urban Well-being Minister Abdul Rahman Dahlan, who said Nurul Izzah’s meeting with Jacel was “a mistake”.
“Princess Jacel Kiram is on record strongly defending Kampung Tanduo’s armed intrusion…Meeting was a mistake!” the Kota Belud MP tweeted.
“Under no circumstances whatsoever YB Nurul Izzah should meet a known enemy of the state.
“Nurul Izzah should apologise. Don’t give excuses. Remember she supported the killing of our forces and takeover (of) Sabah!” Abdul Rahman tweeted.
Nurul Izzah was forced to explain her meeting with Jacel after a photograph of the duo having dinner was uploaded by Jacel on her Facebook page.
The Lembah Pantai MP said she was in the Philippines on Nov 9 as part of the PKR delegation to meet various stakeholders there.
She said the delegation was hosted by the Council on Philippine Affairs and the Asian Institute for Democracy, the Office of the City Mayor of Manila and the Office of the Vice-President of the Philippines.
“They decided on the list of leaders we were to meet,” she said.
“I wish to reiterate my support in defending the sovereignty of Sabah as part of the Malaysian federation.
“Any suggestions otherwise are mere wild, unfounded and malicious allegations,” she said.
Apart from Jacel, others at the meeting included former governor and congressperson of Batangas Hermilando Mandanas, congresspersons Regina Reyes and Silvestre Bello, Dean of Law Amading Valdez, former member of the cabinet Romy Nery and former Undersecretary of Justice Wencie Andanar as well as members of the staff of the vice-president of the Philippines and the mayor of Manila.
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