According to the sultanate’s spokesperson Abraham Idjirani, they were seeking for a conference with officials from the sultanate, the Philippines and Malaysian governments, as well as with representatives of the natives of Sabah.

“The sultan’s concern is to find a resolution to this long-standing dispute and the way forward is an international conference on the matter,” Abraham was quoted by the English daily as saying.

However, he said the sultanate had yet to receive any official response after writing to Putrajaya.

He added that the conference should address the sultanate’s sovereignty as well as proprietary issues over Sabah.

Phugdalon Kiram II, who was formerly known as Datuk Phugdal, became the 35th “sultan” of Sulu and North Borneo on February 6 after his father, Jamalul Kiram III, died in October 2013 from multiple organ failures due to kidney problems.

On February 12, 2013, Phugdalon’s brother Raja Muda Agbimuddin Kiram led over 200 gunmen of the Royal Sulu Army in the occupation of Kg Tanduo in Lahad Datu, resulting in more than 60 deaths, including nine Malaysian security personnel.