KUALA NERANG – The Rural Development Ministry will protect its assets abroad and ensure they do not become the target of claims by outsiders claiming to be heirs of the Sulu sultanate.
Its minister Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid said the ministry owned assets in several countries through some agencies, especially Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara).
It is understood that some of the assets owned by Mara include buildings in Melbourne, Australia; London, United Kingdom; Washington, the United States; and Egypt.
Mahdzir said this at a media conference after attending the special briefing on Prospek Pedu here today when asked to comment on the ministry’s action to protect its assets abroad, following reports that the assets of two Petronas subsidiaries in Azerbaijan were seized by heirs of the Sulu sultanate, who are claiming US$14.92 billion (RM62.59 billion) from Malaysia.
The Paris Court of Appeal allowed the Malaysian government’s application to stay the enforcement of the final award made by the Paris arbitration court, on the basis that the arbitration proceeding would affect the immunity of Malaysia’s sovereignty.
Mahdzir said the ministry would monitor developments and that he had contacted Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Parliament and Law) Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar for detailed information regarding the matter. – Bernama, July 14, 2022
