Sabah govt to provide input to address Sulu group claims

KOTA KINABALU - The Sabah government is ready to provide any input in solidarity and support of the Federal Government's efforts to address the claims by the Sulu group, says Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan.

He said the state government would appoint one or two representatives from Sabah in the special secretariat established to address the issue.

"Our job is to provide input based on our views and the history of the claim," he told reporters after attending a briefing session on the issue here today.

Also present were Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said and 25 Sabah assemblymen.

Jeffrey, who is also the president of the Homeland Solidarity Party (STAR), said the appointments would be discussed at the Sabah Government Cabinet Meeting before being finalised, and said he had urged all assemblyman to convey the true picture to the grassroots regarding the issue.

Meanwhile, Sabah Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Minister Phoong Jin Zhe, who is also Luyang assemblyman, said as a member of the Sabah Cabinet, he was very pleased with the Federal Government's efforts in addressing the matter.

"Although this only involves commercial claims, but if we are not stern, it could create (other issues) with regard to Sabah's sovereignty," said the DAP assemblyman.

Sindumin assemblyman Datuk Dr Yusof Yacob said such a claim should never have taken place when Sabah had chosen to form Malaysia in 1963.

"Even the Philippines does not recognise this group which us making the claim," said the assemblyman from Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (GRS).

The Sulu group had been reported as having filed legal action through the Spanish Court to seek compensation for land in Sabah, which they claimed was leased by their ancestors to a British trading company in 1878.

They brought the matter for arbitration in Spain in 2019, and subsequently arbitrator Dr Gonzalo Stampa, who was appointed by the group, made a decision favouring the claimants.

The decision was used to seize Petronas assets in Luxembourg.

Malaysia has used all available legal remedies to nullify the two awards given by Stampa to the group. - BERNAMA