Sabah AG: No need for legal repository, state open to ideas for putting an end to claims

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah does not plan to create a repository on the Sulu claims issue under the state Attorney General's Chambers.

However, Sabah Attorney General Datuk Nor Asiah Mohd Yusof said the state government was open to feedback and suggestions that would help put an end to the issue of illegitimate claims to Sabah by any individuals or groups.

She said the claims by the self-proclaimed heirs of the defunct Sulu sultanate were handled by the Federal Government through the Attorney General's Chambers and Foreign Affairs Ministry.

"Matters relating to claims involving foreign affairs are under the jurisdiction of the Federal Government in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Constitution," she said on Thursday (April 21).

Nor Asiah was responding to a call by the Sabah Law Society urging the state AGC to set up a repository that will put in place a proper and documented perspective of Sabah's history with regards to the Sulu sultanate for the Federal Government's reference.

SLS president Roger Chin said such a legal repository could be placed under the Sabah AGC, which would then have on hand the full historical background and legal arguments.

The proposal for a repository on Sulu issues came after an April 5 SLS webinar discussion on the Philippines/Sulu claims where speakers included former attorney general Tan Sri Tommy Thomas, Singapore-based Queen’s Counsel Dr Colin Ong and former Sabah chief minister Datuk Seri Yong Teck Lee.

It was highlighted during the webinar that the collection of information – including crucial historical information – was haphazard and spread out among disparate individuals.

Thomas had also said that when he was attorney general he was not aware of certain historical documents when handling the Federal Government’s case against the Sulu heirs. Sabah does not recognise the Sulu claim.

Nor Asiah said the ongoing issue of the Sulu heirs' claims in Spanish and French arbitration courts was being handled by the Federal Attorney General, who has appointed lawyers in Spain and France.

"The lawyers have been instructed to file several actions to quash the Paris court decision," she said, declining further comment.

"We (Federal and state) always cooperate in handling any claim against Malaysia's sovereignty, especially when it involves the interests of Sabah," she added.

Issues to strengthen Malaysia's arguments against the Sulu claim came about after a Paris arbitration court’s decision to award RM64bil to the so-called heirs earlier this year.