#21 : Polis Special Branch Pembelot Negara Ketika Insiden Lahad Datu, Sabah

Summary

The script tells the story of a police officer, a corporal in the Royal Malaysia Police, who failed to report vital intelligence about a terrorist invasion in Sabah in 2013. Despite receiving critical information, including military movements and planned attacks, the officer did not inform his superiors. This failure led to the Lahad Datu terrorist incident, which caused casualties, including police officers. The officer was convicted and sentenced to seven years in prison for neglecting his duty to report the threat, with his appeal being dismissed in 2018.

Takeaways

• 😀 Suspect was a corporal in the Royal Malaysia Police Special Branch based in Lahad Datu, Sabah since 1990.
• 😀 The Suspect was responsible for gathering intelligence on the Sulu Sultanate and potential threats to Sabah's security.
• 😀 The Suspect failed to report critical information about a potential terrorist invasion in 2013 despite being aware of it.
• 😀 Information was passed to the Suspect regarding a group of over 1,500 armed men, but the Suspect failed to act on it.
• 😀 The Suspect ignored reports about small boats entering Lahad Datu, which indicated an impending invasion.
• 😀 In March 2013, the Suspect received information about 400 soldiers backing the Sulu militants but did not inform his superiors.
• 😀 Despite receiving intelligence about guerrilla attacks, the Suspect continued to neglect reporting the information.
• 😀 The Suspect was eventually arrested in 2014 for failing to disclose vital information about the terrorist threat under Section 130M of the Penal Code.
• 😀 The court sentenced the Suspect to seven years in prison in 2014 for his negligence in reporting the terrorist threat.
• 😀 The Suspect’s appeal against the conviction was rejected in February 2018, and the court upheld the sentence, stating the information provided was valid and relevant.

Q & A

What was the role of the suspect in this case?

The suspect was a police corporal in the Royal Malaysian Police Force, specifically working for the Special Branch in Lahad Datu, Sabah, since 1990. His responsibilities included gathering intelligence regarding threats from the Sulu Sultanate and reporting any potential risks to national security.

What was the key failure of the suspect in this case?

The suspect failed to report critical intelligence regarding the presence of terrorist groups planning to invade Sabah in 2013. Despite being aware of various suspicious activities, such as the sighting of armed groups and small boats, he did not report these findings to his superiors.

How did the suspect come into contact with the group planning the invasion?

The suspect was informed of the terrorist group’s activities through several intelligence sources. He received reports from other police officers and intercepts of phone calls, which indicated the group was preparing to attack Sabah. Despite this, he failed to relay the information to his superiors.

What legal consequences did the suspect face for his actions?

The suspect was convicted under Section 130M of the Penal Code for failing to report information about terrorist actions. In 2014, he was sentenced to seven years in prison. His appeal was later rejected by the Court of Appeal in 2018, and the sentence was upheld.

What was the defense argument presented by the suspect's lawyer during the appeal?

The suspect's lawyer argued that the intelligence gathered was not valid because it was obtained through illegal means, such as phone taps. Additionally, the defense claimed the suspect was made a scapegoat by the Special Branch and that he was unfairly blamed for the terrorist invasion.

How did the Court of Appeal rule on the appeal?

The Court of Appeal upheld the original conviction. They ruled that the intelligence provided by the police officers was valid, even though some information was obtained through phone interceptions. The court emphasized the suspect’s duty to report any terrorist-related information as part of his official duties.

What was the significance of the Sulu Sultanate in this case?

The Sulu Sultanate played a central role in the case because the suspect was tasked with monitoring and reporting threats associated with the Sultanate, which had a history of conflict with Malaysia. The 2013 terrorist invasion was linked to the actions of the Sulu armed group, making it critical for the suspect to relay intelligence regarding their activities.

Why did the suspect's failure to report the information lead to a serious national security risk?

The failure to report the intelligence allowed the terrorist group to proceed with their invasion plans without intervention from the authorities. This negligence directly contributed to the 2013 Lahad Datu incident, which resulted in the loss of lives, including the deaths of two Malaysian soldiers.

What were the outcomes of the Lahad Datu incident?

The Lahad Datu incident led to the deaths of several individuals, including two Malaysian soldiers from the elite V-69 commando unit, Copral Sabarudin Daun and Inspector Zulkifli Mohamad. The invasion caused a significant security breach and a tragic loss of life.

What does this case reveal about the responsibilities of police officers in national security matters?

This case highlights the critical responsibility of police officers in ensuring the safety and security of their country. Officers tasked with gathering intelligence must report all relevant information about potential threats. Failure to do so, especially in cases of terrorism, can lead to severe consequences for national security and public safety.