KOTA KINABALU – The Sabah government must make a stand and call on the heirs of the Sulu sultanate to stop their claims on Sabah, state Umno chief Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin said.
He said their claim has not ended despite a Luxembourg court’s decision to set aside an attachment order over their claim.
Bung Moktar said the court’s decision was only temporary and does not halt claims made in the courts in France or Spain.
“Sabah Umno urges the state government to issue a statement and take a stand immediately reflecting their seriousness and solidarity with the people of Sabah,” said Bung Moktar in a statement here today.
To date, the Sabah government led by Gabungan Rakyat Sabah has not issued any statements on the matter.
Bung Moktar said Sabah Umno’s stance is clear that the claims of the Sulu heirs must be halted.
“Sabah is an independent and sovereign region that chose to be part of Malaysia.
“Any effort or attempt to challenge the sovereignty of the country must be rejected. As a sovereign country, Malaysia has immunity and is protected under international laws.
“Any form of claim and judicial enforcement towards Malaysia is against international principles and doctrines that uphold the immunity of any country,” Bung Moktar said.
A district court in Luxembourg set aside the attachment order on January 24 requested by the heirs to the sultan of Sulu over a claim against Malaysia.
The order was based on two purported arbitral awards delivered unlawfully to the purported heirs requested by the Sulu sultanate descendants on July 11 last year.
The heirs had been awarded US$14.92 billion (RM63.34 billion) by an arbitrator known as Gonzalo Stampa. Malaysia has deemed Stampa to be unlawfully appointed.
The heirs are seeking compensation in a legal dispute with the Malaysian government over land in Sabah they claim belonged to their ancestors
Bung Moktar said the Luxembourg court’s decision could be viewed as a success for Malaysia, and said he hoped it would pave the way for a total rejection of the Sulu heirs’ claim. - The Vibes, January 27, 2023
