Cross border attacks in Sabah

For the conflict in the Philippines, see Moro conflict.

Cross border attacks in Sabah
Part of the Piracy in the Sulu Sea, North Borneo dispute and Moro conflict

Attacks by Moro pirates and militants in Sabah from the 19th century to the present
Date8 December 1962[17] – present
(61 years, 11 months, 2 weeks and 2 days)
Location
Sabah, Malaysia
Result

Security in mainland Sabah was under control, cross border attacks ongoing;

Belligerents

 Malaysia

 Indonesia[1]
 Vietnam[2]
 Singapore[3]
 Thailand[4]

Supported by

Bangsamoro militia support:
Moro Islamic Liberation Front[10]
Moro National Liberation Front (Mus Sema faction)[11][12]

Former Support:
 Philippines (1986–2016)[13]		 Abu Sayyaf (1991–2024)
Philippines (until 1986, 2016–present)
Moro Pirates (1963–present)
 Sulu Sultanate (Jamalul Kiram III faction) (2013–present)

Former Sabah invasion supporter:
Moro National Liberation Front (Misuari faction) (2001–2015)[14][15][16]

Commanders and leaders

Anwar Ibrahim
(Prime Minister of Malaysia)
Mohamad Hasan
(Minister of Defence)
Hajiji Noor
(Chief Minister of Sabah)
Prabowo Subianto (President of Indonesia)
Murad Ebrahim[29]
Mohagher Iqbal[10]
Muslimin Sema[30]
Former leader

PM full list
CM full list
PR full list
PR full list
 Radullan Sahiron (current Emir of Abu Sayyaf)  Surrendered
Abdurajak Janjalani  †
Khadaffy Janjalani  †
Isnilon Totoni Hapilon  †
Bongbong Marcos
(President of Philippines)[36]
Phudgal Kiram[37]
(Raja Muda of the Sulu Sultanate)
Various pirates leader
Jamalul Kiram III #
Agbimuddin Kiram #
Ismael Kiram II[37] #
Former support:
Diosdado Macapagal #[38]
Ferdinand Marcos #[39]
Rodrigo Duterte
Nur Misuari (2001–2015)[14][15][16][40][41]
Units involved

NSOF:
Malaysian Armed Forces
Royal Malaysia Police
Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency

British coalition
(until 1966)

Indonesian National Armed Forces
Indonesian National Police

Former Support:
Armed Forces of the Philippines
Philippine National Police		 Abu Sayyaf

Moro Pirates

Royal Security Forces of the Sultanate of Sulu and North Borneo
Strength
Malaysian security forces:
British coalition
(until 1966)

Philippine security forces:
uncertain
Indonesian security forces:
uncertain Law abiding Moro rebels:

uncertain		 Abu Sayyaf: unknown

Kiram followers:

  • 235[46]
    Moro Pirates: unknown
Casualties and losses
Malaysian security forces:
British coalition
(until 1966)
  • uncertain

Philippine security forces:

Indonesian security forces:

  • uncertain

Law abiding Moro rebels:

Abu Sayyaf:

+10 captured


Kiram followers:

~ The total thought to be higher than what has been shown.
Part of the
Formation of Malaysia
Events
Malaysia Bill
Cobbold Commission
 • 18-point agreement
 • 20-point agreement
Singaporean referendum
Sarawak communist insurgency
North Borneo dispute
 • Cross border attacks in Sabah
 • Moro conflict
 • Piracy in Sulu & Celebes
Brunei revolt
 • North Borneo Federation
Konfrontasi
Manila Accord
Maphilindo
Sarawak Self-governance
Malaysia Act 1963
North Borneo Self-governance
Proclamation of Malaysia
Operation Claret
1964 race riots in Singapore
MacDonald House bombing
PAP–UMNO relations
Proclamation of Singapore
UN Security Council Resolution 213
Singapore Agreement
South Thailand insurgency
Double Six Tragedy
Pedra Branca dispute
2019 failed constitutional amendment
2021 constitutional amendment
flag Malaysia portal

The cross border attacks in Sabah are a series of cross border terrorist attacks perpetrated by Moro pirates from Mindanao, Philippines, in the state of Sabah, Malaysia, that began even before the British colonial period.[60][63] Many civilians have died or suffered during these incidents, causing an increase in anti-Filipino sentiment among the native peoples of Sabah, especially after major attacks in 1985, 2000 and 2013.[64] The attacks were more intense during the presidential terms of Diosdado Macapagal and Ferdinand Marcos, who supported irredentist claims to include eastern Sabah as part of the Philippines territory.[39][61] In addition, recent infiltration and attacks by militants as well as uncontrolled human migration from Mindanao to Sabah has led to more unease sentiments among the local residents of Sabah, with around 78% of prison inmates that were caught in the state due to involvement in criminal activities and lawlessness issues mainly originating from the southern Philippines.[65]

Prior to a large-scale military operation initiated by Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte to combat the rampant lawlessness in the southern Philippines since mid-2016, Malaysian security forces had been told to tighten its security and to ensure that terrorists do not attempt to flee prosecution by escaping to uninhabited areas.[66][67][68] Sabahan leaders also ordered Malaysian security forces to "shoot on sight" any trespassers who continue to ignore laws despite repeated warnings[69] and that those escaping militants be dealt with by the country's laws more effectively.[70] Following the declaration of martial law in the neighbouring Philippines since 23 May 2017, Malaysian authorities increased their border security.[71] Sabah Chief Minister Shafie Apdal also urged the Malaysian security forces to stop taking a defensive attitude and be offensive towards the rampant crimes perpetrated by southern Filipino criminals and terrorists that has disturbed peace in the state.[72]

Various countries and territories such as Australia,[73] Canada,[74] China, France,[75] Germany,[76] Hong Kong,[77] Ireland,[78] Japan,[79] New Zealand,[80] Singapore,[81] South Korea,[82] Switzerland,[83] Taiwan,[84] United Kingdom,[85] United States[86] and Vietnam[87] have raised a travel alert for their citizens to avoid the area in eastern Sabah.

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