I would like to mourn for the brave fallen policemen. They lost their lives to defend the territorial integrity of the country, as well as to maintain the dignity of Malaysia. They should be given the respect and gratitude of the people.
The incident also caused us to ponder that any conflicts and wars will cost both the confronting sides a bloody price.
Before this, there were voices asking for wars. They accused the authorities of acting too cowardly and demanded an annihilation to show the intruders some colours.
Today, the people can see not only colours, but the color of blood. And lives are sacrificed.
I wonder what would those who shouted that war was the only solution think now after the standoff turned deadly.
I still insist that war is not the only way, nor the best solution.
Peace not war
There is no doubt that Sabah is part of Malaysia. However, the territorial controversy which has long entangled Sabah and the Sulu Sultanate is a historical problem. The remaining Sulu Sultanate and Sulu descendents are still having a deep affection for Sabah and thus, the issue must be resolved peacefully.
The Sulu Army's invasion of Lahad Datu was not a hasty idea, but a well-prepared plan backed by a force. Moreover, it can hardly say whether they are receiving assistance from some people in Sabah.
In addition, why does it take place at this sensitive time when Malaysia is facing a general election, in which Sabah is one of the crucial states?
A few days ago when I was talking with a politician and mentioned about the standoff in Lahad Datu, he suddenly said, "Let's think about it! What impacts would it bring if it evolves into a bloody conflict?"
"There are more than 500,000 Filipino immigrants in Sabah, including legal and illegal ones. How many of them are descendents of the Sulu Sultanate?"
"Once they open fire and kill some members of Sulu Army, what would the Sulu descendents in Sabah think when they see the corpses covered in blood?"
I got goose bumps when I heard it.
Standoff
Is it a coincidence or conspiracy to have the standoff when the country is about to hold a general election?
I do not want to judge on it and would rather want it to be a coincidence, instead of a political ploy. Otherwise, the problem will be more complicated, more difficult to solve and bring greater harm.
Although we hide the question in our hearts, some Malay newspapers have quoted some blogs that quoted the Philippine media claiming that delegates of a Malaysian political leader had visited and talked to leaders of the Sulu Sultanate.
The political flavour is strong and Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has instantly denied the allegation.
At the same time, PKR vice-president Tian Chua claimed that the BN is behind it. Of course, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has also denied it.
I do not believe in any similar accusations. However, it can hardly be denied that the standoff in Sabah has been infected by some political colours.
-Sin Chew Daily
Mandarin Version:
鄭丁賢‧“蘇祿軍＂和選舉，巧合還是陰謀？
2013-03-04 09:07
對英勇殉職的我方警隊人員，謹此致上哀悼。他們為了捍衛國家領土的完整，以及維護馬來西亞的尊嚴而殉難，應該獲得人民的尊敬和感激。
這也讓人深思，任何的戰爭和衝突，要付出流血的代價；這種代價，兩方都難以避免。
在此之前，出現求戰的聲音，指責當局懦弱，要求在第一時間圍剿殲滅，給一些顏色讓入侵者瞧瞧。
如今，人們看到的不止是顏色，而且是血色；生命就此斷送。
我在懷疑，那些高喊戰爭是惟一解決問題的熱血分子，如今看到血流了，人死了，又作何想？
我仍然堅持，戰爭不是惟一的途徑，也不是最好方式。
沙巴是大馬領土的一部份，無可置疑；但是，沙巴問題是歷史問題，糾纏已久，蘇祿人和蘇祿的殘餘王朝，仍然有很深的情意結，必須通過和平化解。
入侵拿篤的“蘇祿軍＂，不是臨時起義，靈機一動，而是有準備和策劃而來，背後也有支持的力量，而且，很難確保沒有獲得沙巴內部，或是大馬某一方面的配合。
況且，何以在這個敏感時刻，大馬即將大選，而沙巴又是一個關鍵，而發生這起事件？
幾天前，和一政壇中人聊天，談起蘇祿軍事件，他突然說道：“想一想，如果發生流血衝突，那對選舉會產生甚麼影響？＂
“沙巴境內有到50萬以上的菲律賓移民，包括合法和非法；在這當中，究竟有多少人有蘇祿血統？＂
“一旦流血，蘇祿軍百人喪命，血淋淋的屍體陳開來，沙巴的蘇祿人會有甚麼反應？＂
一聽之下，身上都會起疙瘩。
“蘇祿軍＂遇上選舉，究竟是巧合，還是陰謀？
我不願下判斷，我寧願希望是巧合，而不是政治陰謀。否則，問題更加複雜，更難解決，也會帶來更大傷害。
儘管問題藏在心裡，但是，馬來報章引述部落格的貼文，部落格則是引述自菲律賓報章，指之前有政黨領袖的代表前往菲律賓，和蘇祿方面會談。
政治味道濃得化不開；安華即刻否認。
同一個時候，公正黨的蔡添強卻說，這是巫統所策劃。當然，納吉也馬上否認。
我不輕信任何類似說法，但是，“蘇祿軍＂事件染上政治色彩，要洗都洗不掉了