The police has no choice but to go full force to ensure safety of everyone. Photos: Handout
The incursion by Sulu gunmen in 2013 in Lahad Datu, Sabah, that led to a standoff and later a shootout with the Malaysian security forces, is a black mark in the country’s history as lives were lost, and peace was threatened.
But that event is something that needs to be told, reckoned director Zulkarnain Azhar, whose new film Takluk: Lahad Datu is inspired by what happened at the East Coast from Feb 9 to March 25, 2013.
But as many details are still considered classified material, he and fellow screenplay writer Peter Toyat had to leave out actual names of people and locations.
Furthermore, the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) and the Home Affairs Ministry (KDN), which monitored the production of the film, had set several conditions if the filmmakers wanted to tell this story.
“One of the conditions was that no Sabah flags, any local languages from the state, or real names of the gunmen were to be used throughout the film’s production,” said Zulkarnain at a press meet earlier this month.
“Takluk is only inspired by the events that happened; the characters and names are fictionalised, but the depiction of the situation is based on the real event,” he reiterated.
Two real events that were reported in the newspapers back then that could be seen in the film are the negotiations conducted to reach a peaceful solution, as well as the beheading of dead policemen during an ambush at a seaside squatter settlement in Semporna.
“To be honest, what we show in the film is far less gory than what really happened,” said Zulkarnain, adding that Takluk got a 16 rating (for audiences aged 16 years old and above), but didn’t get any cuts from Film Censorship Board.
“Our main aim with the film is not to glorify the actions of the intruders, but to honour the sacrifices of PDRM in overcoming the terrorists in defending the nation,” he reasoned.
'Takluk: Lahad Datu' was shot at actual locations of the incursion.
Takluk sees the elite multi-tasking special forces unit of the PDRM deployed to Sabah to handle a national security threat.
A group of armed men who call themselves the Gagasan Militan Nusantara (GMN) led by Raja Iskandar (Eman Manan) has invaded a village in Sabah, claiming it is their “ancestral land” and they want it back.
The Malaysian government sends emissaries to meet with Raja Iskandar for a peaceful resolution.
The negotiations appear to be working at first, but, when the GMN militants interfere in the evacuation of the villagers, a gunfight erupts, resulting in deaths.
Soon after, the gunmen move to another village and take hostage of the occupants living in the wooden homes built on stilts.
One of the hostages happens to be the mother of Inspector Saiful (Fikry Ibrahim).
Now, he has to choose either to perform his duty as an officer or to get his mother to safety.
Fikry, 30, admitted that the most challenging part about making the film was making sure that he did justice to playing a police officer in the film.
“What was difficult about making this movie wasn’t doing the action sequences but to ensure that both the audience and the police officers watching the movie can believe the character I am playing is true to life,” the actor told StarLifesyle.
To achieve that, Fikry went through intensive training and at one point had to do extra pushups as punishment.
He took it all in his stride as he said, “What I went through for the film is just a tiny speck of what an actual police officer goes through during their training”.
Inspector Saiful (Fikry Ibrahim) and his crew in a tense showdown with the gunmen.
Likewise, Eman, who plays the leader of the terrorist group, is proud to be part of the film that’s inspired by an event that’s recorded in Malaysian history.
“I am glad that this story is being told 10 years after it happened, and not 40 years later,” said the 66-year-old seasoned actor.
“By recalling the story now, we can remind people that not too long ago, we were attacked.
“Also, this can be a way to acknowledge our uniformed officers who were ever ready to defend the country.
“It’s important this story is told with respect, which is what I saw during the production,” Eman added.
According to director Zulkarnain, Eman’s Raja Iskandar is an amalgamation of multiple terrorists that he’s researched, and is not based on a single real person.
“I didn’t want to emphasise any one individual, but rather portray the ultimate terrorist character.
“And I knew I needed Eman Manan to play him and no one else. I was quite lucky to get to talk to him to pitch the idea, which eventually led to him agreeing to play the role.”
Naturally, the three-time Best Actor winner at Malaysia Film Festival gives an electrifying performance as a megalomaniac in Takluk.
Zulkarnain said: “As a director, I provided direction, but Eman Manan also brought a lot of his own ideas and understanding of the character, since he had thoroughly studied the script and character.
“We had very detailed discussions beforehand to get on the same page.”
Eman Manan gives an electrifying performance as a self-proclaimed royalty who wants his ancestral land back.
That dedication and passion are also present in other cast members that include Syafiq Kyle, Kamal Adli, Anding Indrawani, Ayez Shaukat, Mustaqim Bahadon and Fad Anuar, to name a few.
Mustaqim, who said he never imagined he would be playing a commando one day, said the one-week training was “crazy”.
“Playing a commando comes with a heavy responsibility as there are many protocols that come with it. Also the equipment they carry is really heavy,” Mustaqim, 39, said.
“The first day we were filming, I nearly puked on set. I had to take a painkiller just to get through the day. It was probably because I didn’t get enough rest and also I made a lot of mistakes,” he added.
Although it was a tough shoot – Takluk was filmed over 40 days on location in Semporna, Sabah, and one week in the Klang Valley – Mustaqim remembered the experience fondly, calling it “good times”.
Actor Kamal, 38, echoed his sentiment, stating: “We were happy to be together during the filming. And we were there with actual officers which gave us extra strength to carry on every day.”
The actors went through training to familiarise with how the armed forces work.
A police VAT 69 commando was present throughout filming to make sure all the details in the film were accurate, such as the way the armed forces moved, and how the actors handled the guns.
There were also more than 100 PDRM members who made up the armed forces team seen in the film.
Zulkarnain – who previously directed another ensemble movie involving armed forces, Air Force The Movie: Selagi Bernyawa – said that he got lucky with the casting, as the actors had great camaraderie both on and off the set.
The director shared: “They would mingle, go out for meals and do activities together, which helped their on-screen brotherhood feel very natural.
“I didn’t have to remind them to act like brothers, as they already had that bond.”
At the end of the day, the director and cast members hoped that after watching the film, the audience would develop more respect and appreciation for the Malaysian uniformed bodies.
“They are the frontliners protecting us. I want the audience to recognise the sacrifices they make for our safety,” Zulkarnain said.
Takluk: Lahad Datu is showing at cinemas nationwide since Aug 22.
