‘No need for Sulu repository but suggestions to end claims open’

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

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

She said the issue involving claims by the self-proclaimed heirs of the defunct Sulu sultanate are handled by the national government through the Federal Attorney General’s Chamber (AGC) and Foreign 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 yesterday.

She was responding to a recent call by the Sabah Law Society (SLS) to the state AGC to set up a repository that will put in place a proper and documented perspective of Sabah’s history with regard 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 in hand the full historical background and legal arguments of the case.

The proposal for the repository came after the April 5 webinar discussion organised by SLS 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 over 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Thomas had also said that when he was attorney general, he was not aware of certain historical documents when handling the Federal Government’s case against so-called Sulu heirs.

Sabah does not recognise the Sulu claim.

Nor Asiah said the ongoing issue of Sulu heirs and their claims in Spanish and French arbitration courts are being handled by the Attorney General who has appointed lawyers in the two countries.

“The appointed lawyers have been instructed to file several actions to quash the Paris court decision.

“The Attorney General and the State Attorney of Sabah always cooperate in handling any claim against Malaysia’s sovereignty, especially when it involves the interests of Sabah,” she added.

Issues to strengthen Malaysia and Sabah’s arguments against the Sulu claims came about after the Paris arbitration court’s decision to award RM64bil to Sulu heirs earlier this year.