The Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) has claimed that a further 1,000 fighters have travelled to Sabah in small groups to support the followers of Sultan Jamalul Kiram III. They have been engaged in clashes with the Malaysian armed forces since the self-styled Royal Army of the Sultanate of Sulu landed on the eastern coast of Sabah in early February. Whilst the figure of 1,000 fighters is most likely political exaggeration, Kuala Lumpur has acknowledged that small groups of armed supporters may have circumvented the naval cordon to support Filipino fighters in Sabah loyal to Jamalul (see this week’s Malaysia Report).
President Aquino repeated his criticism of the Sultan's followers for the incursion into Sabah and, in a statement clearly aimed at MNLF leadership, hinted at hidden financial backers being responsible for prolonging the standoff. Meanwhile, the MNLF warned of a “long, protracted war” against Malaysia if Kuala Lumpur fails to heed UN calls for a peaceful resolution of the crisis. In an attempt to seek further advantage, the MNLF central committee said it would also petition the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation following cases of human-rights violations allegedly committed by Malaysian forces.