35 Sulu militants killed trying to enter Sabah to cause problems during polls

(THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) – Thirty-five armed Sulu militants attempting to enter Sabah were shot dead by the Philippines navy and coast guard on Wednesday, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said.

He said they were shot before they could enter Malaysian waters after refusing to turn back.

He added that according to intelligence reports, the group was attempting to enter Sabah to cause problems during the general election.

“If they had entered our waters, we would have taken them out. We will defend our country,” he said at a press conference here on Thursday.

An incursion by Sulu militant in late February left two villages and 10 Malaysian servicemen dead. The episode has put the eastern state in the spotlight during this election.