Minister: ‘Irresponsible’ if Nurul Izzah link with ex-Sulu Sultan’s daughter hurts Malaysia’s sovereignty

(Malay Mail Online) – Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein today said it would be “irresponsible” of PKR MP Nurul Izzah Anwar if her pictured association with the daughter of the late Jamalul Kiram III, whose forces invaded Sabah in 2013, affected Malaysia’s sovereignty.

The defence minister said he has yet to receive reports on the matter, but stressed that the situation in the South Philippines remains delicate following news of the alleged beheading of Sarawakian hostage Bernard Then by Sulu kidnappers and the ongoing peace process between Muslim rebels and Manila.

“Any action by certain parties that could affect the safety, peace and harmony of the country… if it affects the sovereignty and security of the country, it is irresponsible,” he said at a news conference at the Parliament lobby here.

Pictures of Nurul Izzah and Jacel Kiram are being circulated online, sparking outrage among netizens who asked why the PKR vice-president would associate herself with the daughter of the self-styled former Sultan of Sulu.

The daughter of former opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was criticised as being insensitive, with some claiming her association with the Kiram family insulted Malaysian security personnel who died fighting Sulu militants who invaded the Sabah district of Lahad Datu two years ago.

On February 2013, over 200 Sulu gunmen stormed Lahad Datu in Sabah to stake the sultanate’s claim over the east Malaysian state.

In the bloody standoff that ensued with Malaysia’s security forces, a total of 68 terrorists were reportedly shot dead while 10 local policemen were killed.

A total of 173 arrests were made and 30, consisting of 27 Filipinos and three local residents, are being tried for terrorism-related charges.