1985 Lahad Datu ambush

Background

Most areas in the east coast of Sabah are known for many Filipino communities, both legal and illegal. These areas have become a haven for pirates from the Philippines and Sabah itself has suffered 10 major attacks since 1976. On the evening of 23 September, a number of armed men clad in jungle green uniforms appeared in the town and started to shoot random targets. The shoot-out left the town with significant destruction and blood could be found everywhere. One of the victims, a pregnant woman, was shot while being driven home in a van. The van driver brought her to the hospital but she was pronounced dead on arrival. Another victim, a Chinese man, was injured by a gunshot during the raid. During an interview with him, he said that:

While I was walking around a coastal road, I saw eight men dressed in combat uniforms carrying M16 and machine guns running towards the centre of the town. Gunfire was then heard with men running towards me. I then hid in a cafe with the proprietor, huddled under a table and heard the continuous gunshots and explosions. I thought the town was under attack by the Philippine Army. Suddenly, I heard a bullet crashing the window and saw my leg was hit with it. I saw images of my wife and three children and I thought I would never see them again. But later I consider myself fortunate because I lived to see my family. But even so, I cannot help wondering about our government, which can't seem to defend us against these marauders.

The instability of the Philippines has caused major economic problems for Sabah. Philippine army raids against anti-Ferdinand Marcos factions in the Sulu and Mindanao islands have left many houses and fields destroyed, forcing an estimated 100,000 Moro people in the Southern Philippines to flee to Sabah. While many who have not left the Philippine islands have involved themselves in criminal activities, mainly on smuggling and armed robbery.