Sabah conflict among top Google Malaysia search trends since March 1

The ongoing conflict between followers of Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III and Malaysian security forces in Sabah is being followed closely not just by Filipino netizens but by their Malaysian counterparts as well.

Google Malaysia indicated the Sabah conflict figured not just once but four times in the top 10 search trends between March 1 and 7.

However, the topic fell to eighth place in the period between March 8 and 14.

March 1 was the date the first deadly clash between armed followers of Kiram and Malaysian security forces, who until  then had been engaged in a three-week standoff.

Following another armed clash on March 2, Malaysian security forces conducted offensive operations against Kiram's followers in Lahad Datu since March 5.

In a post on its Google+ account, Google Malaysia said the Sabah incident topped search trends from March 1 to 7.

"Malaysians searched on everything related to the recent intrusion episode in Sabah," it said of the searches that involved the terms Lahad Datu, Sabah, Sultan Sulu, PDRM, Philippines News and Nur Misuari.

Second in the March 1-7 list was opposition party leader Tian Chua who "made a controversial statement related to the Sabah situation."

Third was "VAT 69," where the death of the two police commandos in Sabah in the March 1 encounter prompted Malaysians to "search for more information on this elite ‘Very Able Trooper’ commando unit set up in 1969."

Fourth was e-filing, "when Malaysians submit their income tax online."

Fifth was Miriam Makeba, the Grammy Award-winning South African singer and civil rights activist honored by a Google Doodle. Sixth was singer Zaidi Buluh Perindu, who died of a heart attack while performing at an event last Feb. 28.

Seventh was "Pray for Sabah," where netizens urged Malaysians to unite for Sabah. Google Malaysia said many social media users "changed their profile pictures to reflect the logo of two hands cupping the Sabah flag."

Rounding up the top 10 were:

"Melissa King," the Miss Delaware Teen USA who resigned her crown amid allegations linking her to an adult video.

"Lamborghini Veneno," leaked photos of the supercar ahead of the 2013 Geneva Motor Show

"Dark Skies," the thriller starring Josh Hamilton and Keri Russell.

8th place

But in the March 8-14 period, searches related to Lahad Datu appeared to dive, figuring only once in the top 10.

Such searches placed eighth with netizens searching for the term "Mortar," which Google Malaysia said was "related to the Lahad Datu conflict."

The entire top 10 trends from March 8 to 14:

 — TJD, GMA News