Duterte set to pursue Sabah claim

Reuters pix

DAVAO CITY: Philippine President-elect Rodrigo Duterte said he would stick to the  government’s original position on the Sabah issue.  

“I stick with the original position of the government, nothing has changed,” Duterte said.  

He was asked by the Inquirer on his government’s plan on the country’s claim over Sabah.  

“But only through peaceful means. We don’t have the luxury of getting into trouble or another war, we just have to talk to everybody to develop our country.  

“We can’t afford to fight, let’s just talk, and I hope Malaysians will understand.  

“We will make clear to them what is going to happen.  

“If we file an actual case in (the international) court, and it is sure we will win, and yet, we don’t want trouble, so can we resolve this by other means?” Duterte said.  

It was reported that Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman had reaffirmed that the state would never acknowledge any such claim and would continue to be a part of Malaysia.   

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak had also responded by saying that Sabah’s independence through Malaysia has been internationally recognised by the United Nations since 1963.