Wisma Putra says Sabah is part of Malaysia, any other claims baseless

KOTA KINABALU, 21 Feb -- Ketua Menteri Sabah Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal membincangkan sesuatu dengan Duta Filipina Ke Malaysia Charles C Jose (kiri) yang mengadakan kunjungan hormat terhadap Ketua Menteri Sabah di Pusat Pentadbiran Negeri Sabah (PPNS) hari ini. --fotoBERNAMA (2019) HAK CIPTA TERPELIHARA

KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama): Malaysia reiterated that Sabah is part of Malaysia and any claims on the state are without basis. 

Wisma Putra said Sabah has been recognised by the United Nations (UN) and the international community as part of Malaysia since the formation of the Federation on Sept 16, 1963.

“As such, Malaysia does not recognise and will not entertain any claims by any party on Sabah,” it said in a statement in response to Philippine Ambassador Charles Jose's statement in Sabah Thursday (Feb 21) that Manila had not dropped its claim on Sabah.

Jose reportedly made the statement in a press conference after paying a courtesy call on Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal.

In response to Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) secretary-general Jahid Jahim's statement on the matter, Wisma Putra also stressed that Malaysia has, without fail, asserted its position on the matter.

“At the same time, Jahid's statement is misleading and has the potential to damage the excellent ties which Malaysia and the Philippines currently enjoy. 

“This bilateral relationship is important not only for both countries but for the entire region as well,” it added. - Bernama