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KUALA LUMPUR – There is absolutely no evidence to link the Philippine government with the claims filed by the purported heirs of the Sulu sultanate against Malaysia, said Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The prime minister said he has held two rounds of talks with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, saying: “... we are definitely concerned about this matter. But it (the claims) did not involve the Philippine government.
“The Malaysian government is firm in its stance, and they (the Philippines) know that. Bilateral relations remain good despite the claims but they have not affected the interests of Sabah as an independent and sovereign region with Malaysia,” Anwar said in the Dewan Rakyat today.
He said Manila’s reluctance to establish a consular office in Sabah did not at all affect the decision that Sabah is an inalienable part of Malaysia.
Anwar also assured that the government would defend the rights and sovereignty of the country and oppose every “attack” by the Sulu claimants.
The prime minister said this when explaining the claims made by the purported heirs of the defunct Sulu sultanate, in response to the views of several MPs.
Earlier, Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin (Kinabatangan-BN) and Datuk Khlir Mohd Nor (Ketereh-PN) asked whether the Philippine government was in any way involved in the claims and regarding the republic’s refusal to set up a consular office in Sabah.
During the explanation session, the prime minister also stressed that the government would not hesitate to take legal action based on the country’s criminal laws against any parties, including Malaysians, who provide support in any form or collaborate with the Sulu claimants.
Anwar said the government would continue to go all out and fight these claims to safeguard the interests and sovereignty of Malaysia. – Bernama, June 14, 2023
