Five Malaysian cops killed in firefight with Pinoys in Sabah standoff

Five members of the Malaysian security forces have been killed in a firefight in Sabah with an armed group believed to be among the Filipino followers of the Sulu Sultanate Saturday night, according to reports from Malaysia's state-run Bernama news agency and Agence France-Presse.

According to the report from Bernama, two of the armed Filipinos were also killed.

An earlier report from Bernama said the incident occurred at about 8 p.m. at Kampung Selamat, Semporna, some 150 km from Kampung Tanduo in Lahad Datu.

Bernama cited information indicating the armed men "planned to attack Lahad Datu police station."

It added Lahad Datu and Tawau police special investigation divisions were deployed to the scene.

Police Inspector General Tan Sri Ismail Omar "confirmed the incident but refused further comment," Bernama said.

On Friday, two Malaysian police commandos were killed along with "10 to 12" of the followers of the Sulu Sultanate in Kampung Tanduo following a three-week standoff.

President Benigno Aquino III on Saturday appealed to the Filipinos still in Sabah to surrender without conditions as Malaysia adopted an all-out stance against them.

'Fight to the death'

But a report on Malaysia's The Star online said the group spurned Aquino's calls for them to surrender and may "(set) the stage for possibly more bloodshed."

It quoted Sultan Jamalul Kiram III's brother Raja Muda Azzimudie Kiram as saying he and his followers would fight to the death.

According to the report, Azzimudie, in his latest text message to his elder brother Kiram in Manila, said that "after burying 10 of his followers including a woman at sundown, everyone of the 224 left decided to die in Lahad Datu in pursuit of their dreams."

The Star online quoted Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Hamza Taib as saying police were now working with the military for “firmer action” to resolve the standoff. — LBG/BM, GMA News

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Anwar mulls legal action against Utusan, TV3 over Filipino militant link

KUALA LUMPUR, March 3 — Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim may sue Utusan Malaysia and broadcaster TV3 for linking him to Filipino militants engaged in a deadly clash with police forces in an ongoing Sabah standoff.

The opposition leader has directed his lawyer to study yesterday’s news reports by the two Umno-controlled media for legal action.

“Datuk Seri Anwar (picture) has instructed his lawyer to study the statements... if there is any action, we will inform you,” Najwan Halimi, special officer to Anwar, told The Malaysian Insider when contacted last night.

Other media reported Anwar, who was speaking at a public rally in Penang last night, as being visibly upset at the allegations, which he said was an attempt to detract attention from genuine concern over national security issues.

The PKR advisor was reported by news portal Malaysiakini as telling a 2,000-strong crowd in Seberang Jaya that he had nothing to with the Filipino Muslim clan claiming lineage from the Sulu sultanate that grants them ownership of Sabah.

“Even if I met them, what’s the issue? Who in the government has never met with Haj Murad Ebrahim, the leader of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front or Nor Misuari?” he asked.

Nor Musuari, sometimes spelled Nur Misuari, heads the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), another Filipino Muslim faction seeking autonomy from Manila.

“What is important is: was there any discussion or encouragement or tacit approval for the insurgency or the encroachment into our borders?” he was quoted as saying.

He denied he had anything to do with the talks, and added he had only issued one statement on the matter, which was directed to the federal government.

“The only statement that I issued was to ask them to explain why our borders are so porous, why they took so long, as I think the security of Malaysia cannot be compromised.”

Malay daily Utusan Malaysia and TV3 had both picked up a news report from the Philippine Daily Inquirer, titled “Philippine govt intel eyes 3 groups abetting Sulu sultan’s claim”.

The Philippine news report on Friday cited unnamed intelligence sources there when reporting that the Malaysian opposition here was allegedly one of three groups that could have backed the Sulu rebels’ claim on Sabah.

It said that a Philippine intelligence officer pointed to an unnamed individual from the opposition allied to Anwar, adding that the figure was looking to contest a Sabah seat in Election 2013.

“Apparently, this politician was one of those who spoke with the Kirams. He supposedly gave the opposition’s support to the Kirams’ claim to Sabah,” the source who declined to be named said, in reference to the family of self-styled sultan Jamalul Kiram III.

Utusan also cited a February 14 report from newswire Reuters, where a Philippine military officer reportedly said a Malaysian opposition politician had invited the Sulu men to discuss land matters.

The Manila Times was also quoted by Utusan where it was reportedly claimed that the incursion was related to the Malaysian opposition’s campaign to give Sabah autonomy if they win.

Malaysia will be heading for national elections in the next few weeks where three main opposition parties, PKR, DAP and PAS, have joined forces to form the Pakatan Rakyat pact to go toe-to-toe against the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition.

Sabah’s colourful opposition front now includes the Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP), State Reform Party (STAR), three PR parties — PKR, DAP, PAS, and two new PR-aligned movements APS (Angkatan Perubahan Sabah) and PPS (Pakatan Perubahan Sabah).

A policeman was killed and another injured in a shootout with armed militants in Kampung Selamat, Semporna. Police said two others were wounded in gunfight in Pulau Simunul, an island near Semporna.

These incidents around Semporna are 150km away from another coastal town, Lahad Datu, where there is still a tense standoff between Malaysian security forces and Filipino militants a day after 14 people were killed in a gunfire exchange.

The Filipino militants have been here for nearly three weeks, claiming that Sabah belongs to them although the land has been part of Malaysia for decades. - source

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224 Kiram's Armed Forces decided to die in Lahad Datu

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak and Philippine President Benigno Aquino on Saturday urged a group of Filipinos in northern Borneo to surrender in the aftermath of a clash that killed 15 people.

Sultanate of Sulu and North Borneo spokesman Abraham Idjirani an Princess Jacel, daughter of Jamalul Kiram III, Sultan of the Philippine island-province of Sulu, who claims the eastern state of Sabah as part of his sultanate, address a news conference on Saturday in Taguig City, south of Manila.

Twelve members of the group were killed on Friday, along with two Malaysian police commandos and one local resident in a clash in Lahad Datu town in Sabah, 1,600 kilometres east of Kuala Lumpur.

The Filipinos occupied a village in Lahad Datu in the northern Borneo region Feb 12 to press their historical land claim.

"The rebels have to surrender or they will face the action of our security forces," Najib said while paying respects to the two police officers.

"There is no other option. No discussion, just surrender."

In Manila, Aquino echoed Najib's demand and called on the remaining group of Filipinos in Lahad Datu to lay down their arms.

"If you have grievances, the path you chose was wrong. The just, and indeed, the only correct thing for you to do is to surrender," the president said.

"To those who have influence and the capacity to reason with those in Lahad Datu, I ask you to convey this message: surrender now, without conditions."

Malaysian police chief Ismail Omar said the group of about 200 people from the Philippine sultanate of Sulu was trapped and had nowhere else to run.

The sultanate leased the land in 1878 to the British North Borneo Company, which passed it to Malaysia in 1963. Kuala Lumpur currently pays the sultan 5,300 ringgit per year in token rent.

Princess Jaycel, daughter of Sultan Jamalul Kiram III, said in Manila that the group would remain in Lahad Datu despite the shootout with Malaysian forces.

"After we buried our brothers and sister at sundown, every one of the 224 left decided to die in Lahad Datu in pursuit of their dreams and aspirations," she said.

"They have decided to put everything in the hands of Allah."

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Manila probes Malaysian Opposition hand in instigating Sulu heirs

PETALING JAYA: A leading Philippines daily reported that Filipino intelligence sources had linked a Sabah politician allied to a Malaysian opposition leader as among “external factors” responsible in instigating heirs of the Sulu sultanate to reclaim Sabah.

A report carried by Philippines Daily Inquirer journalist Nikko Dizon said Manila was monitoring three groups described as “external factors” behind the incident.

“These external factors' are one small faction that is in it for the money, an anti-Aquino administration group, and the Malaysian political opposition,” the daily's online website stated on Friday.

The report said sources had “consistently mentioned” the three groups as having taken advantage of the decision of the sultanate's clan, the Kirams, to pursue their Sabah claim.

Though the Kirams' claims were to have been made last year, sources said the Philippine government's policy on Sabah was to keep it on the back burner.

“But apparently some people want to push it forward now. And why now, at this time, is one of the questions government intelligence is looking into,” the report added.

Another source said the groups had used the Kirams' pursuit for their own agenda.

“There are a lot who can gain from this, not just in the Philippines but in Malaysia as well,” the source was quoted as saying.

The source, who is an intelligence officer, said the Kirams initially planned to pursue their claim as early as last year but went to Lahad Datu on the instigation of these groups.

The motive for the Malaysian opposition involvement in the incident was linked to the impending general election here, the intelligence officer was quoted as saying.

The report stated that a member of the Malaysian opposition who is running for a post in Sabah had made prior contact with the Kirams.

“Apparently, this politician was one of those who spoke with the Kirams. He supposedly gave the opposition's support to the Kirams' claim to Sabah,” the source said.

It was reported that the Kirams had decided in November to “reclaim Sabah or at least ask for higher compensation for Sabah and due recognition by Malaysia” but ended up heading for Lahad Datu in Feburary.

In a report recently, Reuters had also implicated the involvement of the Opposition in the Lahad Datu stand-off. - source

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How to Get Rid of Dandruff

Dandruff scales are visible flakes of skin that are continuously shed from the scalp. People with dandruff have large numbers of a superficial yeast belonging to the species Malassezia on the scalp, which increases the turnover of the skin flakes.

Do’s of Dandruff Care

It is important to realize that dandruff is a normal physiological process. It is perceived as a disease when the scaling is noticeable and the scalp turns itchy.

1. If the dandruff is mild, shampoo hair twice a week with shampoos labeled “frequent use, for dry hair and scalp”. The moisturizers will protect the scalp and keep it from flaking.
2. Use shampoo powders with camellia seeds for mild cases
3. Moderate dandruff sufferers use a normal antidandruff shampoo daily or alternate days, leaving the lather on for at least 10 minutes. Be sure to rinse thoroughly; shampoo and soap residue can actually aggravate skin problems. Once the dandruff is under control, shift to weekly twice shampooing.
4. For more severe dandruff, you should use shampoos containing anti-yeast medications like selenium sulfide, ketoconazole, climbazole etc. These should be used on alternate days in the first week, twice a week for next 2-4 weeks, thereafter once weekly.
5. After bath towel off the excess water and let the hair dry naturally, that is without blow drying.
6. Brush the scalp hair with a soft natural bristle brush. Firmly brush the hair from scalp outwards. This will distribute the oil along the hair shaft keeping it shiny and healthy; rather than remaining on the scalp where it is a good medium for the yeast to multiply.
7. Hair should be washed daily, with shampoo used on alternate days to begin with and weekly once or twice as maintenance.
8. Eat well balanced food, avoid snacks, get 7-8 hours good sleep and exercise regularly.
9. Learn to relax on a regular basis.
10. If the condition persists or worsens after treatment, stop all medications and see a dermatologist.

Don’ts of Dandruff Care

There a number of precautions which will help you get rid of dandruff fast and also avoid frequent recurrences.

• Do not use ordinary soap to wash hair. Ordinary soap is not designed to cleanse the scalp and hair.
• Do not wash hair intensively, this can irritate the scalp and increase the cell turn over and flakes.
• Do not use antidandruff shampoos in mild, dry type of dandruff. This will actually compound the problem.
• Avoid dyes on the scalp hair as far as possible. The normal resident bacteria of the scalp which keeps away the yeasts will be destroyed by dyes and harsh shampoos.
• Do not use antidandruff shampoos daily after the dandruff clears, as these are too harsh. Use no more than once or twice a week.
• Moderate and severe types of dandruff are oily type; avoid oily and greasy applications in such cases.
• Do not consume alcohol, fried, spicy, fast food.

When to See a Dermatologist?

Sometimes, the itchy, scaly scalp could turn out to be an obstinate problem not responding to conventional treatment. In such cases a review as to the real cause of the dandruff is mandatory and a dermatologist will be able to help you here.

You should consider a dermatology consultation:

• If the OTC antidandruff treatment and home remedies have not helped even after 6 weeks.
• If the flaking and scaling are not over the whole scalp but just in one or more places, and thick. You may be suffering from psoriasis or seborrheic dermatitis.
• If you have scabs on the scalp.
• If your scalp is red and itchy - or if the skin is flaky around the eyebrows, round the nose, behind the ears, front of chest or in between the shoulder blades;- this may suggest you have the more severe Seborrheic Dermatitis.

Dandruff, Seborrheic Dermatitis and Psoriasis: Are They Related?

Dandruff may be considered as the mildest end of a disease spectrum where psoriasis is at the other, more severe, end; with seborrheic dermatitis coming in between. The immunological and histo-chemical changes seen in psoriasis has not yet been demonstrated in the milder forms and yeast infection is not considered an important trigger factor in psoriasis, though.

Response to many topical agents like tar is similar in this group of skin diseases causing itching and scaling on the scalp. There is another severe condition which comes in between seborrheic dermatitis and psoriasis of the scalp which has aptly been called seborrheasis.

To sum up, dandruff can be controlled, not cured; and, if it is resistant to standard antidandruff shampoos and treatment, you should seek expert help.

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Conditioner-Only Hair Washing

Although haircare product manufacturers are still producing masques, treatments, spritzes and leave-ins, a growing number of people are deciding to limit their use of products and opt for a more natural haircare approach. Product-light haircare is less expensive and easier on the environment; moreover, many people find it has health and cosmetic benefits.

Shampoo-Free Hair Washing to Prevent Skin Conditions and Hair Thinning

Most commercial shampoos contain SLS (sodium lauryl sulphate) or SLES (sodium laureth sulfate). These ingredients are detergents, which are very effective at cleaning and also produce a luxuriant lather. However, for individuals with skin conditions such as eczem and seborrheic dermatitis, prolonged use of SLS and SLES can exacerbate symptoms.

SLS and SLES have also been implicated in thinning hair, probably due to damage of the hairs' roots. Many people notice that switching to non-SLS/SLES-containing brands of shampoo results in visibly thicker hair after a few months of use.

How Conditioner Cleans Hair

Usually chemically gentler than shampoo, conditioner can still be used to clean hair. The product must be thoroughly rubbed into the scalp, and takes longer to work; most conditioner-only (CO) hair washers recommend leaving the conditioner on for 10-15 minutes to work its magic. After rinsing, a second application of conditioner is recommended to condition the hair as normal.

Benefits of Using Conditioner Only Washing

The harsh surfactacts present in shampoo tend to overcleanse the scalp, stripping it of its natural oils; to compensate, the scalp produces more oil, called sebum. This tends to lock a person into a cycle of overcleansing – the more the hair is washed, the more it needs to be washed.

Because conditioner-only cleansing is gentler, the scalp needs to produce less sebum to compensate. After an initial transition period in which the hair will look greasy, conditioner-only users find that their hair needs to be washed less frequently. Problems with dry or brittle hair may also be resolved. Better still, people who have experiences thinning hair due to prolonged SLS/SLES exposure may notice new hair coming in.

Coping With the Greasy Transition Period

While the scalp 'deprograms' from producing excess sebum, the hair and scalp will look greasy for a time. Usually this transition period only lasts for six weeks or sConditioner Only Hair Washingo. Disguise greasy hair with a variety of braids, or hide it under a hat or bandana! It can be useful to time the transition to avoid any upcoming weddings, major holidays or photo opportunities – summer allows for wearing plenty of hats.

Using a boar bristle brush helps to spread the excess sebum down the hair shaft, where it can do its job as a natural protectant and conditioner. These brushes also smooth down the hair, acting as 'instant product' and transforming grease into shine.

Other Options for Natural Hair Care

• Water-only (WO) washing eliminates conditioner as well as shampoo from the hair-washing equation. Water and boar bristle brushing are used to remove particles of dirt and spread sebum throughout the hair.
• Herbal or natural haircare use various homemade ingredients to clean and condition hair. The ingredients range from Indian herbs such as shikakai and amla to herbal tisanes, honey masques and aloe vera gel. Baking soda and vinegar washing is another homemade option.
• Organic and herbal commercial products are sometimes SLS/SLES-free, and may contain fewer chemicals than regular haircare products.

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Itchy Scalp Remedies

Causes of itchy scalp include dry scalp, dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis, scalp psoriasis, contact dermatitis, head lice infestation, ring worm of the scalp, tinea amiantacea, lichen planus, hair follicle inflammation, neurogenic excoriation and pyogenic infection of scalp. It is evident that no single shot remedy can effectively get rid of the scalp itching.

Itchy scalp remedies include diagnosis of the specific underlying disease and general and specific measures of treatment according to the causes of itchy scalp.

Diagnosis of Itchy Scalp

This involves both clinical and laboratory diagnosis.

Clinical Diagnosis of Itchy Scalp

Most diseases causing itchy scalp like psoriasis and lichen planus have characteristic appearance. Dry scalp is a diagnosis reached after excluding other causes of itchy scalp. Only when confusion arises as to the cause of the itchy scalp, is there any need for the laboratory investigations.

Laboratory Diagnosis of Itchy Scalp

If there is any doubt about the cause of the scalp itching, your doctor will take a scrapping from the scales and examine it under microscope to confirm or rule out fungal infections. A skin biopsy will differentiate lichen planus and discoid lupus erythematosus, both of which cause scarring, hair loss and itching on the scalp. In treatment resistant folliculitis of scalp, the doctor may call for a gram’s stain of the pus or even a culture study.

General Measures to Get Rid of Scalp Itching

• Keep the scalp scale free with regular shampooing.
• Too much harsh shampooing should be avoided.
• Avoid drying hair lotions, tinctures etc.
• Take a well balanced diet, have sufficient sleep and do regular exercise.
• For moderate to severe itchy scalp, an antihistamine will help reduce the itching.

Specific Measures to Get Rid of Scalp Itching

1. Dry Scalp Remedies. Treatment of dry scalp involves avoidance of drying shampoos and application of moisturizing lotions and creams. 5-10% urea lotion will help keep the scalp moist.
2. How to Get Rid of Dandruff. Regular cleansing with anti-dandruff shampoos and application of anti-yeast medications will help clear dandruff.
3. Seborrheic Dermatitis. Mild steroid-antifungal combinations and tar shampoos will keep the seborrheic dermatitis in check.
4. How to Treat Scalp Psoriasis. Removal of the thick scales followed by application of a combination of calcipotriene and betamethasone dipropionate gives best results for scalp psoriasis.
5. Contact Dermatitis. Avoidance of the culprit for the contact allergy, application of steroid creams, and antihistamine medications will control mild to moderate contact dermatitis of the scalp. Severe reactions may require oral steroids.
6. Head Lice Infestation (Pediculosis Capitis). Pediculosis capitis or head lice infestation responds well to anti-louse medications and shampoos used weekly ones.
7. Ring Worm of the Scalp (Tinea Capitis). Antifungal medications, both oral and topical, is required to treat tinea capitis. Shampoos containing selenium sulphide, ketoconazole or zinc pyrithione can be used on alternate days. Treatment may have to be continued for a period of up to 3 months to avoid recurrence.
8. Pityriasis Amiantacea (Tinea Amiantacea). Treatment of the underlying cause like psoriasis, lichen simplex or seborrheic dermatitis will cure P.amiantacea.
9. Scalp Lichen Planus. Scalp lichen planus requires treatment with intralesional steroids or topical super potent steroids. Itching will disappear early, but treatment cannot prevent scarring most of the time, unless treated early.
10. Hair Follicle Inflammation. Folliculitis of the scalp is usually either a pityrosporum folliculitis due to yeast or a staph infection. Treatment depends upon the outcome of the gram’s stain or culture studies.
11. Neurogenic Excoriation . This is a neurodermatitis. Treatment involves stress management, anxiolytics, and super potent steroids or intralesional steroids.
12. Pyogenic Infection of Scalp. Topical and systemic antibiotics will clear the infection most of the time. Regular cleansing with povidone iodine cleanser will help in avoiding recurrences.

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How to Treat Scalp Psoriasis

Scalp is commonly involved in psoriasis. Many times psoriasis starts on the scalp and remains localized to the scalp for many years. The lesions are usually spread to the other areas of body by the application of a super potent class of topical corticosteroids like clobetasole propionate. Treatment with systemic steroids followed by sudden stoppage of the medication can also cause the flares in other parts of the body.

Signs and Symptoms of Scalp Psoriasis

Psoriasis scalp may be associated with scattered, isolated psoriasis plaques elsewhere on the body or generalized psoriasis. The area behind the ears is the most common site affected in scalp psoriasis. Occipital area is another common site of involvement.

The lesions on the scalp may be either red, raised, scaly plaques scattered at different areas of the scalp or diffusely scaly involvement of the whole scalp. The former is more common. Itchy and scaly scalp is the usual presenting symptom of scalp psoriasis. Itching may vary in severity depending upon the scaliness and inflammation of the scalp. It is to be noted that even with generalized scalp involvement, psoriasis of scalp does not usually cause hair loss.

When the scales are scrapped off with nails or comb, bleeding points appear underneath. This is called auspitz sign, one of the diagnostic features of psoriasis. Harsh scrapping or vigorous rubbing can cause psoriasis plaque to appear in uninvolved areas of the scalp. This is the well known koebner phenomenon in psoriasis. Hence this should be avoided.

What are the Other Causes of Itchy and Scaly Scalp?

Psoriasis of the scalp has to be differentiated from severe dandruff or seborrhoeic dermatitis. Seborrheic dermatitis is generalized on the scalp while psoriasis is localized to certain areas.

The other causes of itchy scaly scalp are tinea amiantacea, tinea capitis (ring worm of scalp), contact allergy to hair lotions, creams or shampoos, dry scalp, lichen planus of the scalp, folliculitis etc.

How to Treat Scalp Psoriasis

Remedies for the itchy, scaly scalp depend upon the severity of the scalp psoriasis and extend of involvement.

1. Treatment of the Mild Scalp Psoriasis. In mild type of psoriasis scalp, these is only superficial scaling, the thick scaly plaques are absent. The first line of treatment is tar or ketaconazole shampoos followed by betamethasone valerate scalp solution. In the absence of inflammation, calcipotriene solution can replace or alternate with the steroid topical application.
2. Treatment of Severe Scalp Psoriasis. In severe psoriasis of the scalp, there are thick adherent scaly plaques on the scalp. Unless the scales are removed, the antipsoriatic medication will not be able to act on the skin. Hence the first step is to remove the scales.
3. Removal of Thick Scales of Scalp Psoriasis. The following steps will help remove the scales: Wet the scalp thoroughly, cover the involved area of the scalp with either a 10% salicylic acid in mineral oil or a coconut oil based tar and salicylic acid pomade. This is covered with a plastic wrap overnight. 20% urea cream is an alternative. A tar and salicylic acid containing shampoo is used in the morning to remove the scales.
4. Topical Applications in Scalp Psoriasis. Once the scales are removed, a combination of calcipotriene and betamethoasone dipropionate gives best results in controlling the scalp psoriasis. Other alternatives are tar solutions, steroid-salicylic acid combinations, anthraline, and steroid lotions like clobetasole propionate.

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Causes of Itchy Scalp

Itchy scalp can be caused by a number of diseases, which are diagnosed by the history and nature of scaling, duration of itching, severity of itching, extent of scales and presence of skin rashes elsewhere on the body.

What are the Causes of Itchy Scalp

The commonest causes of itchy scalp are dry scalp, dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis, scalp psoriasis, contact dermatitis, head lice infestation, ring worm of the scalp, tinea amiantacea, lichen planus, hair follicle inflammation, neurogenic excoriation and pyogenic infection of scalp.

Needless to say, a definite diagnosis of the condition causing scalp itching is necessary to effectively get rid of the itchy scalp.

Dry Scalp Causing Itchy Scalp

Dry scalp is one of the overlooked causes of itchy scalp. This may be caused by harsh shampoos, hair lotions or tinctures with alcohol as base or following frequent washing.

Itching of the scalp due to dryness is more common during cold, winter months.

Dandruff as a Cause of Itchy Scalp

While mild dandruff may not cause much itching on the scalp, superadded yeast infection will cause itchy scalp in the mild to moderate types of dandruff.

The scaling of dandruff is generalized over the scalp. When severe, the scaling may extend to the eyebrows, ear canal, front and back of chest etc.

Scalp Itching Caused by Seborrheic Dermatitis

Seborrheic dermatitis shows greasy scales throughout the scalp. The underlying skin may be reddish. In severe cases, red scaly rashes may be present on the sides of the nose, chest and back.

The scalp itching in seborrheic dermatitis can be moderate to severe. Seborrheic dermatitis is can be considered as the inflammatory type of dandruff.

Scalp Psoriasis: An Important Cause of Itchy Scalp

Scalp psoriasis, in contrast to seborrheic dermatitis, has thick scales with scattered plaques at different places of the scalp. Scraping off the scales reveals bleeding points, the Auspitz’ sign. Itching is variable in scalp psoriasis.

Though at times scalp psoriasis can occur without scaly rashes elsewhere in the body, in most cases other areas of the body is also involved.

Contact Dermatitis

Allergy to certain scalp and hair applications (creams, lotions, gels, shampoos, hair dye etc) can result in severe itchy scalp with oozing, crusting and scaling.

A history of itchy scalp following use of some applications on the scalp is an indicator that the itching is caused by contact allergy.

Head Lice Infestation (Pediculosis Capitis)

Pediculosis capitis or head lice infestation is a common cause of itchy scalp in girls and young women who tie their wet hair before it is dried properly. This creates a perfect environment for the lice to flourish.

Severe lice infestation can cause secondary bacterial infection, oozing, crusting and other inflammatory changes on the scalp, neck and forehead. Finding the louse and its egg confirms the diagnosis.

Ring Worm of the Scalp (Tinea Capitis)

Ring worm of the scalp is usually seen in children, and rarely in adults. There is circumscribed and patchy scaling and itching with broken hairs or hair fall in the area.

Scalp ringworm can cause severe itching resulting in further patchy loss of hair. The skin shows mild to moderate scaling, crusting and oozing. Inflammatory reaction of the tinea capitis can cause boggy swelling in the area, known as kerion.

Pityriasis Amiantacea (Tinea Amiantacea)

Pityriasis amiantacea is thought to be a hypersensitivity response to a number of scalp diseases, like scalp psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis or lichen simplex chronicus.

Tinea amiantacea is a misnomer as fungal infection is rarely a cause for P. amiantacea. There is a thick yellow crusty flaking of the scalp along with matting of the hairs in the affected areas. Scaling is more prominent than itching in P.amiantacea.

Lichen Planus

Lichen planus can affect the scalp at times, and is known as lichen plano pilaris. Redness, itching, hair loss and scarring are the features of lichen planus.

The itchy scalp in lichen planus can cause patchy scarred hair loss with underlying violaceous skin.

Hair Follicle Inflammation

Hair follicles inflammation or infection, known as folliculitis can occur on the scalp due to yeast or bacteria. Itchy scalp and painful, scattered and infected bumps are the main features of scalp folliculitis.

Neurogenic Excoriation

Neurogenic excoriation or lichen simplex is another cause for itchy scalp and is related to stress and anxiety. Habitual scratching leads to thickening and hair loss to a localized area of the scalp, usually on the sides.

Pyogenic Infection of Scalp

Bacterial infection of the scalp is common in malnourished children. Itchy, flaky crusts with yellowish discharge mat the hairs together in pyogenic infection of the scalp.

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Sabah stand-off 'turns deadly' as clashes break out

At least two policemen are reported to have died in clashes at a village in Malaysia's Sabah province which was being occupied by a Philippines clan.

The group - supporters of a Muslim sultan that makes a historical claim to the land - said police had opened fire.

But Indonesian and Malaysian officials said the police officers were killed by the clan, and that the two-week stand-off was now over.

Both governments had been urging the group to leave the village peacefully.

Malaysian police have so far not commented on the incident.

At least 100 members of the clan, who call themselves the Royal Army of Sulu, arrived in Lahad Datu by boat just over two weeks ago, demanding recognition from the Malaysian government. Some 30 of them were armed.

Agbimuddin Kiram, who is the younger brother of the Sultan of Sulu Jamalul Kiram III and was in the village, told a Philippines radio station on Friday morning that police had surrounded them and opened fire.

"They are here, they entered our area so we have to defend ourselves. There's shooting already," he told Manila-based DZBB radio.

"We're surrounded. We will defend ourselves," he said. The group later said that 10 of their members had been killed, but this has not been independently confirmed.

The village the Filipinos were occupying formed part of the Sulu Sultanate - which once spread over several southern Philippine islands as well as parts of Borneo - before it was designated a British protectorate in the 1800s.

'Not a single shot'

Raul Hernandez, a spokesman for the Philippine foreign department, said two police officers had died, as well as the owner of a house in which the clan had been staying, AFP reports.

Citing a report by Malaysia's ambassador, he said 10 of the clan had been arrested.

Malaysia's Bernama state news agency said the two officers were killed in a mortar attack.

It quoted Malaysia Prime Minister Najib Razak as having said earlier on Friday: "Our patience has reached the limit. We have a plan to remove them, they should have surrendered and left."

A spokesman for Philippines President Benigno Aquino had earlier told Reuters that warning shots had been fired when members of the group tried to breach a security cordon.

But a message was posted on the Facebook page of Malaysian Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein saying that Malaysian forces had not fired "a single shot" but "were shot at 10am this morning."

Malaysia and the Philippines had agreed the stand-off would be ended peacefully, but the occupation has heightened tensions between the two countries over the ownership of Sabah.

The area around the village had been evacuated as a precaution after the clan arrived, and the security presence was increased.

Sabah became part of Malaysia in 1963, and the country still pays a token rent to the Sulu Sultanate each year.

Earlier this week, President Aquino urged the sultan to call an end to the "foolhardy act", warning the group would face "the full force of the law" to achieve justice.

"This is a situation that cannot persist," Mr Aquino said in a televised address. "If you are truly the leader of your people, you should be one with us in ordering your followers to return home peacefully." - source

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'14 die' in Sabah Standoff siege clash

Fourteen people have been killed in a shoot-out amid a three-week security siege on some 200 members of a Filipino clan occupying a village in eastern Malaysia.

Members of a Muslim royal clan from the southern Philippines landed in the coastal village of Lahad Datu in Sabah state on February 9 to claim the territory as their own, citing ownership documents from the late 1800s.

Sabah Police Chief Hamza Taib says 12 clan members and two Malaysian police commandos were killed early today in a 30-minute shootout.

He says Malaysian authorities were tightening a security cordon around the village when members of the clan opened fired.

Mr Hamza says three Malaysian policemen were injured in the shoot-out and that the security operation is continuing.

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Firefight at Lahad Datu begins

Firefight broke out between the Malaysian forces and the forces of Datu Agbimuddin Kiram, the Rajah Muda (Crown Prince) of the Sultanate of Sulu in Southern Philippines around 10:00 am Friday, according to media interviews with the Rajah Muda in Lahad Datu and the Sultan of Sulu in Manila.

The Philippine government's Department of Foreign Affairs announced that there were no casualties.

The Kirams said there have been casualties on their side but they could not confirm if there were casualties on the Malaysian side. Abraham Ijirani, the Sultan's spokesman said that ten of Raja Muda's people were killed, including one woman. Four are wounded.

According to sources at Sandakan Hospital in Sandakan, Sabah, there now 20 Malaysian dead, as of 1: 40 pm.

The Lahad Datu airport is closed and the military, not the police, are the ones fighting the Moros. Another source in Sabah said that fighting has now erupted in Kunak, a small town near Lahad Datu.

The Rajah Muda and his men, some 200 of them, reportedly arrived in Lahad Datu, Sabah, Malaysia on Feb. 11, 2013. The Malaysian authorities alleged that the men from Sulu were armed.

The Malaysian authorities notified the Philippine government about the situation and asked that the Filipinos deal with the Rajah Muda's men initially.

Emissaries from the Malaysian and Philippine governments talked with the Rajah Muda but no positive results were obtained.

HOME IN SABAH

The Sultan of Sulu, Jamal ul Kiram III announced that his brother, the Rajah Muda and his men simply went home, as Sabah has been home to the people of Sulu since the 1650s when the Sultanate of Brunei gave Sabah and Palawan to the Sultanate of Sulu in compensation for helping the Brunei Sultan fight a war against a rival claimant to the Brunei throne.

In 1878, the Sultanate leased Sabah to Baron von Overbeck and Alfred Dent for an annual fee. Overbeck and Dent later transferred the lease to the British North Borneo Company. The company continued paying the rent.

All the while, the British government acknowledged the sovereignty of the Sulu Sultan over Sabah. In 1946, 4 days after the US gave the Philippines, which included Sulu, independence, Great Britain announced it was taking over the "sovereignty" of North Borneo by virtue of an agreement with the British North Borneo Company. The Philippine government protested.

In 1957, Great Britain gave its Malay colonies independence. The Malay sultanates in what is now West Malaysia formed themselves into a nation-state called MALAYA. The Sulu royalty protested and revoked its lease agreement to the British North Borneo Company.

In 1963, with the help of Britain, Malaya incorporated Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore to form the Federation of Malaysia. The Sulu Sultanate temporarily transferred its sovereign rights over Sabah to the Philippines. President Diosdado Macapagal protested the inclusion of Sabah into Malaysia and sent a delegation to London.

Officially, the Philippine government has not dropped its claim to Sabah. The Sabah state continues to pay rental fee, which it calls "cession money", to the Sultanate upto today.

On Feb. 26, Philippine President Benigno Aquino III, in a press conference, called on the Sultan of Sulu to ask his brother and his men to stand down and go back to Sulu.. He sent ships to fetch the Moros. He also threatened to file charges against the Sultan and his people.

The President practically dropped the Philippines' claim on Sabah by calling it "a hopeless cause".

The Rajah Muda refused to budge as he wants Malaysia to start negotiating regarding Sabah.

According to a source in Sabah, a Tausug engineer who refused to be identified for fear of his safety, the Malaysian authorities had cordoned off the area since a week ago, and laid siege to the Moros.

"There is news blackout in Malaysia," he says. He said that aside from the 300 or so armed men around the Rajah Muda, there are around 800 armed men in a nearby town named Sampurna and at least 1000 more armed and ready in the nearby islands in the Sulu Sea,

He says that no news reporters are allowed in Lahad Datu.

A Filipino traveler in Kuala Lumpur said that there are many people sympathetic to the Kirams. "There are hundreds of thousands of ethnic Tausugs in Sabah and they support the Sultan," he said. - source

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Sulu sultan infuriates two countries

MANILA - From a dirty plastic chair in a rundown district of the Philippine capital, an ailing man claiming to be the head of an ancient Muslim dynasty whispers defiant decrees that infuriate a president.

Jamalul Kiram III, who insists he is the genuine "Sultan of Sulu," emerged from political obscurity this month after a few dozen of his armed followers sailed to neighboring Malaysia to stake an ancestral territorial claim.

The gunmen took control of a small coastal village in Sabah state on Borneo island, triggering a standoff with Malaysian security forces that has yet to be resolved and deeply embarrassing Philippine President Benigno Aquino.

Although he is weak from kidney disease that needs twice-weekly dialysis, Kiram, 74, insists he is willing to take on the Philippine and Malaysian governments to assert his family's claim to resource-rich Sabah.

Speaking in a voice barely above a whisper, he tells reporters who gather daily at his modest two-storey home that his "royal army" will never abandon Sabah.

"If they have to die, then they will die. They are sacrificing [themselves] for whatever may happen," he said this week after Aquino ordered Kiram to withdraw his men back to their southern Philippine island homes.

Kiram's house in Manila is festooned with banners proclaiming the "Sultanate of Sulu and North Borneo," with a coat of arms showing two crossed swords, informing visitors on the pot-holed street that they are in royal territory.

Kiram speaks nostalgically of the Sulu sultanate's glory days before European colonization, when it ruled over Sabah and large parts of the southern Philippines.

The Kirams say they are descended from the prophet Mohammad, through a Mecca-born Arab who travelled to Southeast Asia.

The sultanate boasts that, in centuries past, it had active relations with other Asian kingdoms and even with China's Ming dynasty, while dominating the Sulu Sea with a powerful navy.

But the sultanate lost much of its influence to European colonial powers, officially losing Sabah in 1878 via a loosely worded contract to a British trading company that paved the way for it to be part of Malaysian territory.

Sabah has prospered under Malaysia.

But the remote islands of Sulu are now among the poorest parts of the Philippines, home to insurgents that continue to wage rebellion against the government while dreaming of an independent Muslim homeland.

While Kiram is comfortable with the sultanate remaining part of the Philippines, he says he sent his men into Malaysia so that his family and the national government's claims to Sabah will be recognized.

The Philippine government has never renounced its claim to Sabah, however Aquino and previous governments have not challenged Malaysia over the issue, preferring instead to pursue warm bilateral relations.

Although Kiram and his advisers insist money is not the motivation for their incursion into Malaysia, they have also signalled the "royal army" would stand down if the sultanate was given a greater share of the riches of Sabah.

Under the agreement in 1878 that saw the sultanate lose Sabah, Malaysia continues to give the Kiram family a nominal compensation payment of about 70,000 pesos ($1700) a year.

"The fare for a hired [pedicab] is even higher than their payment," Kiram said.

Since the 1960s, Kiram has largely lived in Manila—about 900 kilometers (560 miles) from the strife-torn Sulu islands—from where he has been able to look after his business interests.

Kiram said he owned large tracts of rice and coconut plantations, and he has a wide following among the local residents in Sulu.

He lost in his sole foray into national politics when he ran for the Senate in 2007 under the party of then-president Gloria Arroyo, who now stands accused of massive corruption during her time in power.

Kiram said he ran on her ticket to better establish his credentials to the title of Sultan of Sulu, amid a bewildering array of competing claims.

Aquino, seeking to pressure Kiram into submission, told reporters this week that the Sabah issue was clouded by questions as to who was the real sultan.

"They have at least five people who are claiming to be the Sultan of Sulu. So that is one of my first problems: who actually represents the Sultanate of Sulu?" Aquino said.

The Sulu provincial government lists on its website that one of Kiram's brothers is the sultan.

Ibrahim Bahjin, a doctor based in the southern Philippines, also insists he is the real sultan.

"All the brothers and nephews have been fighting for the sultanate. We belong to different royal houses. But I was proclaimed paramount sultan in 2004," he told AFP by phone. — Agence France-Presse

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Malaysian forces open fire on Pinoys in Sabah, Sulu Sultan's brother claims

Malaysian security forces on Friday morning started firing at a group of Filipinos holed up in a village in Sabah, the brother of Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III said.

In his first interview with radio dzBB on Friday at around 10 a.m., Raja Muda Agbimuddin Kiram, the leader of the group in Sabah, said they were shot at and had to "defend" themselves.

"Biglang pumasok sa amin, we had to defend ourselves," Raja Muda Agbimuddin said.

Asked what time the Malaysian forces allegedly moved in, Raja Muda Agbimuddin said, "oras na ito (at this time)."

Reached for a comment, Department of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Raul Hernandez said "we are still validating as of the moment."

Hernandez said they only found out about the shooting from news reports.

The Malaysian Embassy through Raveendran Nair, First Secretary of Information and Public Diplomacy, told GMA News Online, "At the moment, the embassy has no comment. The embassy will not issue a statement on the matter."

Meanwhile, radio dzBB's Carlo Mateo reported that President Benigno Aquino III has summoned Justice Secretary Leila de Lima to a meeting amid reports about the alleged fighting in Sabah.

De Lima said the Philippine government has to be careful in giving statements on the matter at this time.

In an interview with radio dzBB, Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office head Ramon Carandang said the president "is fully aware of what happened" and that he wants peaceful solution to the issue.

Gunshots in the background

Sounds of gunshots were heard in the background while the interview was being conducted. The first interview was cut, however.

In a report aired over GMA's News TV Live, reporter Mariz Umali quoted Kiram's spokesman Abe Idjirani in Manila as saying that Malaysian forces began surrounding the Filipinos at around 6 a.m.

He also said the first shot "was done by Malaysian police authorities."

"We would like to bring into your attention to an advice of our sultan his royal highness Jamal Kiram III that the hope that we had for nearly three weeks for a peaceful resolution of the Sabah standoff resulted now into the first fire perpetrated by the Malaysian police authorities," he said in an interview earlier in the day in Manila.

Wounded Filipinos

In a second interview with radio dzBB on Friday, Raja Muda Agbimuddin said he had received reports some of his men were wounded but said there will be no retreat or call for a ceasefire.

"Meron na," he said in an interview on dzBB radio when asked if some of his men had been wounded, several moments after a first interview was cut off.

When asked if there were members of the Malaysian police who were wounded, he said, "ewan ko."

In the News TV Live report, however, Umali said Raja Muda Agbimuddin claimed that two of their men were already wounded.

Shots were still heard in the background in the second interview with Raja Muda Agbimuddin.

When asked what his immediate plans were, he said, "Lalaban."

He added that he himself was trading shots with the Malaysian forces. "Tuloy pa rin," he added.

When asked if he would call a ceasefire, he said, "Sino mag-ceasefire? Sila mag-ceasefire."

Another member of the Sulu Sultan's family, Princess Jacel Kiram, told radio DZBB, "About a few minutes ago before this started, my uncle (Engr. Idjirani) was about to leave with the Malaysian ambassador kaya nagulat kami nang tumawag ang Sabah na nagsimula na ang putukan."

"Hindi na po natuloy ang pag-uusap dahil sa nangyari," the princess explained.

Defiant stance

The group had adopted a defiant stance after being surrounded by Malaysian forces, and when the first deadline for them to leave peacefully lapsed midnight of Tuesday.

The group, which claimed Sabah is their homeland, arrived in Sabah on February 9 and engaged Malaysian forces in a standoff.

Malaysian forces blocked off their food and water supplies but until Friday did not fire on them while waiting for a peaceful resolution to the situation.

On Thursday, Malaysia's The Star online reported the group of armed Filipinos coped with the blockade by living off houses abandoned by local villagers.

However, the report on Thursday said the Filipinos claimed they were "all fine" despite the land and sea blockade by Malaysian security forces.

Call for prayers

Idjirani, meanwhile, appealed for prayers for a peaceful solution.

The group and the police had been separated by a 300-meter distance, he said.
- with Marc Jayson Cayabyab, Kimberly Jane Tan, Suzette Dalumpines/VVP/KBK, GMA News

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Three dead as Sabah stand-off ends

Malaysian police escort the body of dead police commandos killed in a mortar attack during a stand-off with Sulu gunmen in Tanduo village near Lahad Datu on Sabah Friday. Three people including two police officers were killed on March 1 as Malaysian security forces ended a stand-off with Filipino gunmen over a territorial dispute in Sabah, the Philippine government said. - AFP PHOTO / BERNAMA NEWS AGENCY

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Sabah conflict: 10 Pinoys killed or no casualties?

While the camp of Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III on Friday noon claimed that 10 Filipinos holed up at a village in Sabah had been killed, the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Friday denied these reports.

The DFA said there were no Filipino casualties in a reported gunfight between the followers of a royal Muslim clan and Malaysian authorities in Sabah.

“We have talked to the Malaysian ambassador who confirmed that there was firing in Lahad Datu this morning. He likewise said that there are no casualties and that the firing had stopped,” DFA spokesman Raul Hernandez said.

GMA News reporter Maki Pulido, who is in Sabah covering the standoff, however said she saw two bodies in a military vehicle.

"I saw 2 bodies with faces covered on floor of a military truck that came from Tanduao, Sabah," she said on Twitter.

In an interview aired over GMA News TV's Balitanghali, Hernandez said that the firing has ended and that there were no casualties.

"[Ayon sa impormasyon na] binigay sa amin ng ambassador [ng Malaysia], merong nangyaring firing earlier pero walang mga casualties at yung firing na yan ay huminto na, wala nang putukan," he said.

But he said the Malaysian ambassador did not inform him why and when the firefight began.

"We are hoping to get more details on this later," he said.

"Importante sa atin na matiyak ang kaligtasan ng ating mga kababayan doon sa Lahad Datu kaya patuloy tayong umaapila kay Sultan Jumalul na hikayatin na ang kanyang mga tauhan na kusang umuwi na sa kani-kanilang mga pamilya at tahanan sa Mindanao," he added.

Who fired first?

Hernandez said the DFA is still verifying who fired the first shot.

On the other hand, a ranking Malaysian government official on Friday afternoon contested the claim of the Sulu Sultan's camp that Malaysian security forces fired at them, saying it was the other way around.

In a post on his Twitter account, Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said it was the Filipinos who fired at the Malaysian forces.

"(On) Lahad Datu, I confirm that our security forces have not taken a single shot but were shot at at 10 a.m. this morning!" he said.

Hishammuddin also said there had been "no deaths" as of Friday. "That I can confirm. No deaths," Malaysia's The Star online quoted him as saying.

Sultan's camp

A spokesman for the group of armed Filipinos has said 10 members of the group had been killed when police raided their camp.

Sultan of Sulu Rajah Mudah Agbimuddin Kiram sent the group, who are locked in a tense standoff with Malaysian forces, on Feb. 9 to the resource-rich territory they claim as their own, creating a diplomatic crisis between Manila and Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia regards the group as intruders.

Sabah, located south of Mindanao, is territorially disputed by the Philippines and Malaysia. A Philippine claim for sovereignty over Sabah has lain dormant for decades, but Malaysia continues to pay a yearly rent to the heirs of Sultan of Sulu, who claim to be the descendants of the original Filipino sultan who had control over the territory for centuries.

But the Malaysian home minister denied that police had fired a shot and the Philippine government said it had received no reports of casualties among the group, who are followers of the Sultanate of Sulu, in the southern Philippines.

The standoff with police has threatened to spark tension between the Philippines and Malaysia, whose ties have been periodically frayed by security and migration problems along their sea border. Both governments have urged the group to return home.

Abraham Idjirani, a spokesman for the group, told reporters in Manila that 10 members of the group had been killed and four wounded when Malaysian police raided the village where they have been holed up for more than two weeks.

Malaysia's The Star newspaper reported that at least two gunmen had been killed and three police officers wounded as of 1:00 p.m. on Friday.

At 2:00 p.m. on the same day, the newspaper reported that the casualty count has gone up to 10, matching the numbers provided by Kiram’s camp.

The reports also indicated that villagers near the area could hear shots being fired as late as 12.45 p.m.

At least two ambulances are are on standby outside the Sulu group’s camp, it added. The shootout also caused schools to close down.

The leader of the group earlier told Philippine radio they had been surrounded by Malaysian police, who have warned in recent days that a deadline for them to leave had passed.

"They are here, they entered our area so we have to defend ourselves. There's shooting already," Raja Muda Agbimuddin Kiram, brother of the former Sultan of Sulu, told the radio station by telephone.

"We're surrounded," Kiram said. "We will defend ourselves."

Malaysian police could not be reached for comment.

Interior Secrertary Mar Roxas, the government official who has been designated a spokesman on the stand-off, said in a radio interview that the Philippine government was verifying reports of the fighting.

Ricky Carandang, a spokesman of President Aquino, said some of the group had tried to breach a cordon set up by the Malaysian security forces on Friday morning.

"There was a warning shot but there's no report of casualties, that was what we got and confirmed by the DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs)," he told Reuters

The armed group is demanding recognition from Malaysia and renegotiation of the original terms of a lease on Sabah by the Sultanate to a British trading company in the 19th century. Malaysian officials have said the group's demands would not be met. - with reports from Kimberly Jane Tan/Michaela del Callar/Patricia Denise Chiu, Reuters/VVP/HS, GMA News

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LIFT SABAH FOOD BLOCKADE, DEADLINE

A word of caution to Malaysia. Malaysia should refrain from pushing the button. My recommendation is for Malaysia to LIFT its announced "deadline to vacate” and the food blockade imposed to scuttle the Sultanate's resolve. Extending it to a few more days won’t work. It will only lead to the brink.

Now that the Philippine government is grappling with the incident and has indicated that it will help handle the situation, it may be best for Malaysia to just leave the matter, for the meantime, to the Philippine side to resolve the so-called "stand off". THIS WILL NEED COOLING OFF TIME so deadlines won't help. I strongly suggest that the Philippine backchannels, official or otherwise, must work round the clock to convince Malaysia to LEAVE THE MATTER TO THE PHILIPPINE SIDE TO RESOLVE THIS. Time is of the essence. Malaysia must also be given a "graceful exit" of lifting its declared "deadline" by making it appear that it is merely acceding to a "friendly neighbor's" request. After all, this way Malaysia will pass on the onus of the problem to the Philippine side. And Filipinos, I know, will have a way of quietly resolving it in time. For the moment, this is a Filipino problem that only Filipinos can resolve.

MY OWN SABAH "ENCOUNTERS" --I had my own share of "encounters " with this ticklish SABAH issue when I was with government in Malacanang during FVR's and GMA's time.

I recall when the four countries under the BIMP EAGA (Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines East Asian Growth Area) were set to sign a document setting up a facilitation center to be based in Kota Kinabalu, the document hit a snag when the address of the center was written in the draft Agreement as "Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia". The Philippine Foreign Affairs department in Padre Faura declined to affix the Philippine signature because it will indirectly accept Sabah as part of Malaysia.

Again, when backchannels were suggesting that we open a Philippine consulate in Sabah ostensibly to protect the Filipinos there (due to their numbers and recurring problems), our government firmly but courteously declined. A Philippine Consular Office in Sabah can be interpreted to mean that we officially acknowledge Sabah as within Malaysian territory.

All of these were done discreetly but "with grace and aplomb", cognizant of the Philippine pending claim but balancing with the imperatives of international diplomacy.

On the Sultanate of Sulu side, there were behind-the-scene efforts to adroitly handle the Kirams to keep them assured that they were "not sidelined” and kept them from feeling aggrieved and that we were not somehow squandering away their proprietary interests they held dear. This worked during FVR and GMA's time. Remember one of the Kirams was even included in the previous Administration's senatorial slate? Remember one of the Kirams in the recent past was given a high position in the sports commission? That was the whole point! How the Aquino government handled this now, I have no way of knowing at all.

For President Aquino to publicly accuse recently some personalities of conspiracy in allegedly staging this Sabah "stand off" scenario to torpedo the MILF peace negotiations is, with due respects to the President, too haphazard and premature for a head of state to do at this early stage. There are many factors at play.

NOT ON RADAR ---As part of my BIMP EAGA tasks in the past, as the highest Philippine official, I had traveled several times to Sabah together with Philippine government officials and the private sector. There were no hassles at all and we were dealing with our neighbors in purely economic engagements. Political, like sovereignty issues were not on our radar screen.

BIMP EAGA, as a matter of fact was set up by President Ramos and Prime Minister Mahathir (who came to Davao just to launch it) to emphasize the primacy and need for economic cooperation amongst neighboring countries in the south. In the process, the political issues took a back seat, effectively relegating "sovereignty issues" in the "back burners". In fact, it became a non-issue.

GOOD NEIGHBOR --- Now that the "cat is out of the bag", Sabah will be a lingering issue for sometime. No doubt it will have a bearing on our relations with Malaysia next door, which has been a good neighbor in the ASEAN and BIMP EAGA sphere. It will have security implications. It has international ramifications. It may affect in some way the on-going peace negotiations with the MILF where ancestral domain issues which deal on territorial claims for the Bangsamoro are major sticky points. With the public resurrection of the Sultanate claim, the question begs to be answered: why is the ancestral domain claim of the MILF purportedly in representation of all Bangsamoro EXCLUDING Sabah when there is historical basis for such claim? Of course, for obvious reasons, Malaysia's earnest and key role as peace talks facilitator will be put under cloud. For sure, MNLF Chairman Nur Misuari who still nurses some ill feelings on the way he was treated by the Malaysians during his arrest and detention there, will use this development as a platform to pursue his "claim Sabah" campaign. His disdain on the Malaysian- brokered MILF Framework Agreement is too public to ignore. I can't help but suspect that some of Chairman Nur's MNLF elements are part of the armed contingent now in Lahad Datu.

SECURITY IMPLICATIONS-- But I am more worried about the effect of all this on our relations with Malaysia, our next-door neighbor which has been a good ally in the ASEAN hemisphere. It has also serious security implications for the Philippines because we have "opened our barracks" to Malaysians who know exactly the AFP capabilities (and weaknesses), especially in Mindanao with Malaysian military forces actively engaged in ceasefire work in every nook of our southern region. They know every detail of our AFP's operational status in the south, to the last detachment on the ground. . Of course, armed hostilities between us and Malaysia is far fetched but it's good to point this out for our own reality check.

MALAYSIAN ELECTIONS TOO -- Now, the Aquino administration is confronted with it and is compelled to deal with it. The timing of the eruption of the issue during our own May election campaign period is also unfortunate. We know how it is when some political candidates will use this as an issue in the campaigns.

Many may not be aware of this but there is ALSO the forthcoming elections in Malaysia THIS YEAR . The controversy will be a factor, no doubt. This may be internal Malaysian matter but I am informed reliably that there is some quiet rancor and insecurity amongst Tausugs who are in Sabah now and who are not even involved in the so-called "stand off". The ROYAL INQUISITION COMMISSION in Malaysia had started to look closely at the IMMIGRATION CARDS (IC) system that granted resident or legal status to some Filipino Muslims, mostly Tausugs from Sulu as part of some political move to downscale the voting strength of Sabahans in the forthcoming Malaysian elections. Many TAUSUGS, mostly Sultanate "subjects" who are long time residents there were affected. The campaign was the cause of many forced repatriations. My calculation is that while the actual body count involved in the "stand off" is said to have 200 to 300 warm bodies, the feeling of insecurity and grievance is pervasive amongst many Sabah residents who came from Mindanao. THEY ARE POTENTIAL "ACTORS" IF THE SCENARIO IS MISHANDLED.

I was also reliably informed that Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, the Former Deputy Minister of Malaysia who was charged and detained but was acquitted of sodomy charges, had met sometime ago with Chairman Nur Misuari (also charged and detained and also acquitted for rebellion). They did not talk about their cases for sure. . Yes, they discussed this "IC" cleansing issue in Sabah. What came out of that meeting was still unclear.

WAY FORWARD --- One way forward is to pursue it as "proprietary" issue to protect the rights of the Sultanate of Sulu. From my own assessment, the Sultanate appears insecure due to the reported approaching "expiration" of the lease payments. It is also aggrieved because Malaysia reportedly increased the amount of payments for Sarawak, another tenement similar to Sabah's situation. The IC "cleansing" which has negative viral effect on Filipino Muslims in Sabah and its ramifications in Malaysian politics is another matter. Let's not forget the Misuari-MNLF factor. These must all be taken into account.

MARHATABAT -- A final word. A premature and reckless move by Malaysian authorities, even as a public avowal of its non-negotiable policy of Malaysian territorial integrity may trigger a more complicated scenario. I am not making this up or sound threatening. But it is publicly known that the TAUSUGS of Sulu (and many of them are now EMBEDDED in communities in Sabah) value their honor and dignity. Muslims refer to this as "marhatabat". They value this more than life. USE OF FORCE TO RESOLVE THIS WILL ONLY WORSEN THINGS. - source

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The Moro Sultanates

The Sultanate of MAGUINDANAO

The Sultanate of Maguindanao, the lower valley (sa ilud) kingdom, was a harbor sultanate relying heavily on trade and naval power. At the height of its power in the 17th century under Sultan Qudarat and Sultan Barahman, Maguindanao was the acknowledged overlord of all Mindanao, Sulu and even Borneo. The last Maguindanao sultan, Sultan Mangigin, died in the 1920s/30s during the American Occupation.

The Kingdom of BUAYAN

The Sultanate of Buayan, the upper valley (sa raya) kingdom, relied on its rich agricultural lands and had the support of a great number of non-Muslim Malay tribes. The ruler of Buayan chose to stick to the old title of Rajah (a Hindu word for King) to emphasize the fact that the House of Buayan dates back to the Sri Vijaya and Majapahit empires that encompassed most of Southeast Asia. Buayan’s power was eclipsed by Maguindanao during the time of Datu Buisan, Qudarat’s father. Buayan almost regained its old glory when it practically wiped out the remaining Spanish forces in the late 1890s. When the Americans came, Buayan led the fight in Mindanao. Unfortunately, Datu Ali, the Rajah Muda of Buayan, who was about to finally unite Maguindanao and Buayan, was killed by the Americans through treachery of some Moros. The powerful non-royal Moro Chinese datus took over the leadership of the Pulangi and collaborated with the Americans. Thus ended the rule of the royals in Maguindanao and Buayan.

The Confederation of RANAO sultanates

Near the center of the island is the Lake (Ranao), the highest lake in the Philippines. Around this lake live the M’ranaos. Contrary to what some people believe, the Ranao sultanates were never subservient to the Maguindanao royalty. Datu Dimasangkay, the uncle of Qudarat, married into M’ranao/Iranun royalty. From then on, the M’ranaos/Iranuns became firm and loyal allies of Maguindanao royalty. Perhaps it was because of the M’ranao/Iranun connection that Buayan’s power was eclipsed by Maguindanao in the Pulangi area. It must be noted that when Qudarat was defeated by the Spaniards, he retreated to his relatives among the M’ranaos/Iranuns.

The Sultanate of SULU

The Sultanate of Sulu was founded ca. 1400 by Syed Abu Bakr, an Arab who claimed descent from the Prophet Muhammad, p.b.u.h. Syed Abu Bakr took on the regnal name Sharif Hashem, perhaps to emphasize his claim to the Hashemite bloodline. The Sultan of Sulu held sway over the Sulu Archipelago, Palawan, and later North Borneo (now the Malaysian state of Sabah). The Zamboanga peninsula’s ruler changed depending upon the vicissitudes of fortune. Maguindanao, Sulu and the Spanish took turns in ruling Zamboanga, known locally as Samboangan.

PALAWAN

Palawan Island used to be a territory of the Sultanate of Brunei. In the 1660s, after the successful intervention of the Sulu Sultan in the dynastic quarrel in Brunei, Sultan Muaddin of Brunei gave Sabah and Palawan to the Sultanate of Sulu.

In December 1893, due to old age, Sultan Harun ar-Rashid abdicated in favor of his cousin Jamal ul-Kiram II. He transferred his residence to Palawan and used the title “Sultan Jubilado de Palawan“. The Spanish continued paying him his monthly honorarium as sultan as per their agreement. He died in April 1899. Thus, at the end of the Spanish era and the beginning of the American era, a Sulu Sultan reigned over Palawan.

SABAH

Sabah used to be a territory of the Sultanate of Brunei. In the 1660s, after the successful intervention of the Sulu Sultan in the dynastic quarrel in Brunei, Sultan Muaddin of Brunei gave Sabah and Palawan to the Sultanate of Sulu.

On Jan. 22, 1878, the Sultan Jamal ul Azam of Sulu granted “pajak” (lease or trade monopoly) to Baron von Overbeck over Sabah or North Borneo. The Sulu royalty has NEVER given up its claim over Sabah or North Borneo.

The State of Sabah still pays its annual rent to the sulu royals.

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Car bomb hits southern Thailand

A car-bomb explosion in Yala, a city in southern Thailand, has injured 18 people, including four soldiers, police say.

Sunday's blast started a large fire that swept through nearby shops.

Yala is the main city in one of three provinces near the border with Malaysia that have been under emergency rule since 2005.

"There was a bomb hidden in a fire extinguisher in a pick-up truck parked in front of a grocery shop near Siam City Bank," a local police officer said.

Of the casualties, four were seriously wounded, including three of the soldiers, authorities said.

Fighters in Thailand's south have waged a violent campaign since 2004, leaving more than 4,400 people dead in near-daily attacks.

Violence has intensified recently, with a bomb attack in Yala province killing nine villagers last month, and an attack on a military base a week earlier killing four soldiers.

Three people, including a teacher, were shot dead and their bodies burned in neighbouring Pattani province on Thursday.

On January 18, the Thai government extended emergency rule in the country's south for an additional three months, despite rights groups being concerned about the powers the law gives the military.

A security force of more than 60,000 is stationed in the region, battling the fighters. - source

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Thailand and rebels agree to peace talks

Thailand's government has agreed to start talks with a major Muslim rebel group, marking a breakthrough in efforts to end a worsening conflict in the country's south that has claimed more than 5,000 lives since 2004.

The agreement was signed in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday between representatives of the Thai government and the National Revolution Front (BRN) rebels, ahead of talks between Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and her Malaysian counterpart Najib Razak.

Yingluck was to meet later in the day her host, Malaysian prime minister, for annual talks set to include the nine-year unrest and the possibility of Malaysia hosting future Thai negotiations with the rebels.

"God-willing, we'll do our best to solve the problem," Hassan Tain, a Malaysian-based representative of the rebel group, said.

"We will tell our people to work together to solve the problem."

BRN is one of several shadowy groups blamed for the unrest in Thailand. It remains to be seen whether other groups will fall in line.

Malaysian officials said details of the agreement would be made public after the two government leaders meet.

Malaysia's northern states border Thailand's southern provinces.

'First step'

Successive Thai governments and the military have made contact with rebel groups and claimed some success in tracking down key operatives but they have never openly held talks with the various rebel groups that operate in the south.

Violence has occurred nearly every day in the country's three southernmost provinces since the insurgency erupted in 2004, killing thousands of people.

In recent weeks security forces as well as teachers have been targeted by rebels because they are seen as representatives of the government of the Buddhist-dominated nation.

Rebel groups have never clearly stated their demands, but they are thought to want more autonomy or a separate state in a region that was part of a Malay sultanate until annexed by Thailand in 1909.

"This is the first step. The start of a peace dialogue with representatives from Muslim rebel groups," Paradorn Pattanathabutr, secretary-general of the National Security Council (NSC), told Reuters by phone from Kuala Lumpur.

Paradorn said earlier this week fewer than 1,000 rebels were living on the Malaysian side of the border.

The agreement follows an escalation of violence in recent months. Sixteen rebels were killed in an attack on a Thai  marine base on February 13, with no loss of life among the marines.

Malaysia, which helped arrange a peace deal between the Philippine government and Muslim rebels in October, has brought the Thai rebel groups to the table and appears set to play a mediation role in the talks. - source

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Gov’t intel eyes 3 groups abetting Sulu sultan’s claim

Whether the heirs of the sultanate of Sulu acted on their own to reclaim Sabah or were instigated by an external force to do so, one thing is certain, according to government intelligence sources: It was a business that proved too big for the heirs to handle on their own.

The sources said that the Philippine government’s policy on Sabah is to keep it in the back burner.

But apparently “some people” want to push it forward now. And why now, at this time, is one of the questions government intelligence is looking into.

The sources consistently mentioned three groups that appear to have taken advantage of the decision of the Kirams to pursue their Sabah claim.

“These are groups that wanted to ride on the Kirams’ pursuit with their own interests in mind,” one of the sources said.

Another source added: “There are a lot who can gain from this, not just in the Philippines but in Malaysia as well.”

These “external factors,” as an Inquirer source described the groups, are one small faction that is in it for the money, an anti-Aquino administration group, and the Malaysian political opposition.

“The Kirams planned to pursue their claim as early as last year. But they went to Lahad Datu also on the instigation of these groups,” the intelligence officer said.

The small group supposedly goaded the Kirams to ask Malaysia for a higher rent on Sabah. If Malaysia gives in, this small group would allegedly have a share of the increase.

The anti-administration group simply wants to discredit President Aquino and is using the peace process as a cause of disenchantment for the Kirams.

“All those who do not like P-Noy (the President’s nickname) have joined forces. This is one way to really test how this administration will react (to such an issue). Whatever happens in Malaysia, there will be a backlash on us,” one source said.

“In a way, whoever wants to disrupt the peace process or the gains of President Aquino has already won,” the source added.

The third group is allegedly the Malaysian political opposition, which is gearing up for general elections that may be called before June.

The intelligence officer said that one member of the Malaysian political opposition allied with Anwar Ibrahim was running for a post in Sabah.

“Apparently, this politician was one of those who spoke with the Kirams. He supposedly gave the opposition’s support to the Kirams’ claim to Sabah,” the source said.

November meeting

The source also believed that in their meeting in November last year, the Kirams decided to “reclaim Sabah or at least ask for a compensation for Sabah that is commensurate to the land’s value today, and for the royal family to be given due recognition by Malaysia.”

But it is being Tausug that is keeping Sultan Jamalul Kiram III, his family, and their subjects stubbornly pressing their renewed claim to Sabah, even to the extent of defying President Aquino, one of the Inquirer sources said.

“This is the last stand of Sultan Jamalul. Being Tausug, they already gave their word they would pursue their claim. This is now do or die for them just to keep their word of honor,” the source, a senior military officer, told the Inquirer.

But for another security administrator analyzing the events of the past three weeks, the Kirams appear to be quite edgy of late.

“They are confused. The government is hopeful that we can buy more time, find a diplomatic way out,” the source said, referring to the government’s efforts to help settle the standoff between Malaysian security forces and an armed group led by Jamalul’s brother, Agbimuddin Kiram, in Tanduao village in Lahad Datu town now in its third week.

Kiram unity

The Inquirer’s sources are from the diplomatic and defense establishments. They asked not to be named as they were not authorized to speak to journalists about their analysis of developments in the so-called journey home to Sabah of the Kirams.

The source said the Kirams decided to unite because they felt left out of the peace negotiations between the Aquino administration and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, which signed a premilinary peace deal last October.

Calling gov’t attention

“The Kirams wanted to get the attention of the Philippine government,” the source said.

“For so many years, the family felt they have been exploited in politics. Sultan Jamalul was goaded to run for senator in 2010 but he lost. Then their letter to President Aquino (in 2010 before he assumed office) got lost,” the source said.

The source said the Kirams and their followers “conceived the details of the plan to go to Lahad Datu” in late January this year.

“In February, a small group of the Kirams’ followers left for Lahad Datu, followed by Raja Muda Agbimuddin,” the source said.

The estimated 70 firearms now in the hands of the group holed up in Tanduao are owned by residents in Lahad Datu, Tausug and Badjao holding Malaysian identification cards, the source said.

Malaysian security forces have encircled Agbimuddin’s group but are holding action, with the grace period for the group to leave having been extended three times and a fourth being requested by the Philippine government.

Malaysians careful

The Inquirer’s military source said the impasse continues because the Malaysians are extra careful in dealing with Agbimmudin’s group.

“They are all Muslims and they know that if there is violence, it would go on forever. There are 800,000 Filipinos in Sabah. It would be a huge problem in Sabah if violence erupts. The Malaysian security forces may end up dealing with guerrillas or a rido,” the source said, using a Muslim term for clan war. - source

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