Cross border attacks in Sabah

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. 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. 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. 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.

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 – present
(61 years, 2 months and 1 week)
Location
Result

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

Belligerents

 Malaysia

 Indonesia
 Vietnam
 Singapore
 Thailand

Supported by

Bangsamoro militia support:
Moro Islamic Liberation Front
Moro National Liberation Front

Former support:
 Philippines (after 1986–2016)
Abu Sayyaf (2000–present)

Moro Pirates (1963–present)

 Sulu Sultanate (Jamalul Kiram III faction) (2013–present)
Philippines (until 1986, 2016–present)

Former Sabah invasion supporter:
Moro National Liberation Front (Misuari faction) (2001–2015)

Commanders and leaders

Anwar Ibrahim
(Prime Minister of Malaysia)
Mohamad Hasan
(Minister of Defence)
Hajiji Noor
(Chief Minister of Sabah)
Joko Widodo (President of Indonesia)
Murad Ebrahim
Mohagher Iqbal
Muslimin Sema
Former leader

PM full list

Radullan Sahiron (current Emir of Abu Sayyaf) #
Abdurajak Janjalani  

Khadaffy Janjalani  
Isnilon Totoni Hapilon  

Phudgal Kiram
(Raja Muda of the Sulu Sultanate)
Bongbong Marcos
(President of Philippines)
Various pirates leader
Jamalul Kiram III #

Agbimuddin Kiram #
Ismael Kiram II #
Former support
Diosdado Macapagal #
Ferdinand Marcos #
Rodrigo Duterte

Nur Misuari (2001–2015)
Units involved

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

British coalition
(until 1966)

Armed Forces of the Philippines
Philippine National Police

Indonesian National Armed Forces
Indonesian 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
    Moro Pirates: unknown
Casualties and losses
Malaysian security forces:
  • ≈12+ deaths and 13 wounded recorded
British coalition
(until 1966)
  • uncertain

Philippine security forces:

  • uncertain

Indonesian security forces:

  • uncertain

Law abiding Moro rebels:

  • uncertain
Abu Sayyaf:
  • ~estimated 21+ killed
  • 3 wounded

+10 captured



Kiram followers:

  • 58 killed
  • 3 wounded
    Moro Pirates:
  • Hundreds killed
  • Civilian casualties
  • ~estimated 50+ killed
  • ~estimated 23 wounded
~ The total thought to be higher than what has been shown.

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. Sabahan leaders also ordered Malaysian security forces to "shoot on sight" any trespassers who continue to ignore laws despite repeated warnings and that those escaping militants be dealt with by the country's laws more effectively. Following the declaration of martial law in the neighbouring Philippines since 23 May 2017, Malaysian authorities increased their border security. 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.

Various countries and territories such as Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan, United Kingdom, United States and Vietnam have raised a travel alert for their citizens to avoid the area in eastern Sabah.

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