PETALING JAYA: An Umno leader has called on Putrajaya to be firm when contending with the eight individuals claiming to be heirs to the Sulu sultanate and their demands on Sabah.
Kalabakan Umno division chief Samasuddin Yusop said defending the country’s sovereignty through a legal platform was appropriate in ensuring no party arbitrarily made any claims against Malaysia, Bernama reported.
“In this case, what the Sulus are demanding has created a sense of insecurity. Sabahans feel harassed. We welcome the government’s efforts to defend the country’s sovereignty through legal means.
“Please continue to sue the parties directly or indirectly behind the claim.
“We have to be firm with this Sulu group. We cannot accept the crimes they committed before this (during the 2013 Lahad Datu incursion).
“Appreciation must be extended to Azalina Othman Said (law and institutional reform minister) and Zambry Abdul Kadir (foreign minister),” he said at the 2023 Umno general assembly today.
Kedah Umno information chief Shaiful Hazizy Zainol Abidin said Malaysia was fortunate as Azalina and Zambry had proven their credibility and ability to deal with the issue at the international level.
“Our efforts to defend the sovereignty of this country are very important, especially from parties that are not recognised by any party or country.
“However, this effort requires the support and cooperation of the people. When it comes to sovereignty, we must be united. We must put aside our different ideologies and political beliefs and help the government protect our rights,” he said.
Penang Umno information chief Noor Ahmad said the success of the country’s legal team against the eight individuals’ claim was proof that Malaysia was right in its claims.
Noor also fully supported the government’s decision to stop the annual payment of RM5,300 to the group claiming to be the heirs of the sultanate of Sulu following the 2013 attack.
The Paris Court of Appeal on Tuesday upheld Malaysia’s challenge against the partial award rendered on May 25, 2020, by purported arbitrator Gonzalo Stampa in the case filed by eight citizens of the Philippines, who claim to be heirs of the Sultan of Sulu.
The group was reported to have taken legal action in the Spanish courts to seek compensation for land in Sabah, which was allegedly leased by their ancestors to a British trading company in 1878.