Associate Prof Dr Sivamurugan Pandian from Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) noting that certain quarters were using the Sulu sultanate's claim on Sabah in their attempt (to intrude into Sabah), despite it being considered redundant, believed the incident could influence the voting pattern of the people.
"The Malaysian people can make their own evaluation by looking at how the government is effectively tackling the issue," he said when contacted by Bernama.
On claims that the government had acted too slowly in addressing the incident, Sivamurugan believed it was because the government had to consider several aspects before acting.
"The security forces were definitely ready to strike, but the initial approach was to avoid bloodshed," he said.
Associate Prof Datuk Zainal Abidin Borhan viewed the intrusion as a bid by certain quarters to create a confrontation between Malaysia and the Philippines by reverting to the Sabah claim by self-proclaimed Sulu sultan Jamalul Kiram III.
"They want to create an unstable situation in the Sulu sea. I don't know whether it would delay the general election. And if the election is delayed, who would gain, we are not sure.
"But it has allowed the people of Sabah to see that the government is doing its utmost to protect them," he said.
He said the government's decision to initiate negotiations before resorting to an offensive was appropriate and not a weakness.
Zainal Abidin concurred with Sivamurugan that the intrusion was also staged to test Najib's credibility in handling the situation.
"Since his first major involvement in politics, first as Pahang Menteri Besar in 1982, the prime minister has never been tested within or outside Umno and Barisan Nasional (BN).
"But he has shown such commitment in transforming the country economically, even going to the ground. We must also note that he has also served as defence minister and therefore has a keen understanding of the issues," he said.
Meanwhile, Malaysian historian, Prof Emeritus Tan Sri Dr Khoo Kay Kim believed that the so-called Sulu sultan was re-staking his claim on Sabah because the latter was a progressive and prosperous state.
"The Sulu sultanate has long wanted to set up a break-away government, and had fought with Spain, the United States and the Philippine government in its bid.
"If they can get Sabah with all its progress and prosperity, Sulu can merge as a successful nation, that's their real intention," he said.
The intrusion on Feb 12 has claimed the lives of eight policemen. - BERNAMA
Read more: LAHAD DATU: Intrusion to create instability - political analysts - Latest - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/latest/font-color-red-lahad-datu-font-intrusion-to-create-instability-political-analysts-1.230413#ixzz2Mvp7BvMQ
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