PR urges Malaysians to rally behind our men, warns BN

Mar 4: Pakatan Rakyat's top leaders have warned the government of its duty to guard the nation's sovereignty, saying they were disappointed with the lack of will shown by BN leaders in firming up to the intruders.

"Failure to defend the nation's sovereignty amounts to a betrayal of the people's trust. Pakatan Rakyat would like to remind national leaders to be firm in defending our territorial sovereignty and not slacken in ensuring the safety of every Malaysian especially in Sabah following the armed intrusion by foreigners in Lahad Datu and Semporna," said a joint statement issued by the coalition.

The statement is signed by PAS president Tuan Guru Abdul Hadi Awang, PKR's Anwar Ibrahim and DAP's Lim Kit Siang.

Criticisms have been mounting over the way the government has responded to the conflict, triggered after a standoff between some 200 armed men loyal to self-styled 'Sultan' of Sulu, Jamalul Kiram.

Condoling the deaths of policemen in the incident, PR called on Malaysians to show undivided support to the security forces.

They also urged the public not to indulge in rumours which could worsen the tensed situation.

"We would like to clearly state our confidence in the ability and efficiency of the security forces. They can definitely execute their duties professionally if they are given freedom of action without political interference," said the statement.

The three leaders however lamented that information released by officials over the incident had been hazy, and this only generated more rumours.

The coalition also repeated its call to hold for an emergency parliamentary session to discuss the issue, and said its leaders would be convening a roundtable conference soon.