Malaysia Rejects Allegations Of Human Rights Abuses In Sabah Intrusion

KUALA LUMPUR, March 14 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Government has strongly rejected allegations of human rights abuses in the state of Sabah, as reported by some media in the Philippines recently. The foreign ministry said the allegations published by a daily in the Philippines, 'The Inquirer', on March 9 and 10 in particular, were found to be unjustified and unsubstantiated. It said those reports clearly ran counter to professional journalism. "The reported allegations are fabrication of lies by those whose intention is to damage and strain the good and close relations between Malaysia and the Philippines," it said in a statement issued here Wednesday. The statement noted that the Sabah commissioner of police, one of the top police officials overseeing the operation against armed terrorists in Lahad Datu and surrounding areas, had on March 10, categorically denied the allegations. The ministry said the government gave an assurance that the authorities would continue to act, in accordance with the applicable domestic and international laws, in facing the blatant aggression by the terrorists from southern Philippines. It said the terrorists had committed brutal killings and atrocities in Lahad Datu and Semporna in Sabah, adding that necessary measures would be taken to ensure humanitarian needs of all civilians in the concerned areas were fully addressed. -- BERNAMA