KOTA KINABALU: It’s best for former attorney general Tan Sri Tommy Thomas to explain the controversial 2019 letter to lawyers of the self-proclaimed Sulu heirs expressing Malaysia’s willingness to meet the arrears of "cession" payments, says Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal.
"I do not know about the letter, the then prime minister (Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad) also did not know, what more me.
"It’s best for the question to be answered by Tommy Thomas," the former Sabah chief minister told reporters on Thursday (July 21) when asked if he was aware of the letter sent by Thomas to lawyers representing the self-proclaimed Sulu heirs.
Shafie was the then Sabah chief minister leading the Warisan-Pakatan Harapan state government following their victory in the 2018 general election.
Thomas’ letter allegedly expressed the willingness of the Malaysian government to pay the outstanding arrears of RM48,000 in cession payments since 2013 and this was used by the lawyers for the Sulu heirs as Malaysia's recognition of the claimants.
Shafie said that there were two situations - one was former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak stopping the payment in 2013 after the Sulu intrusion in 2013 and a letter from Thomas to the Sulu heirs' lawyers.
"It’s best for them to explain it," he said.
Earlier, Shafie voiced dissatisfaction over the Sabah Speaker's decision not to allow his special motion to discuss the Sulu claim to be passed in the four-day assembly meeting.
He asked what there was to be concerned about when the defunct Sulu Sultanate and its so-called heirs were not recognised by any country, including their own in the Philippines.
He said Sabah and the Federal Government must make a stand and talk about it, as it involves the sovereignty of the state.
Shafie said this self-proclaimed Sulu Sultanate had no power or rights in Manila, and even Mindanao was under an elected governor.
“This issue has got nothing to do with what’s going on in the courts. It is more about our security threats and concerns,” he said.
He questioned that with the jurisdiction on security matters being under the Federal Government, were they doing enough to ensure that the security in Sabah was taken care of properly.
Shafie also asked whether the funds for manpower, equipment and infrastructure for security in Sabah was sufficient.
He expressed regret and disappointment at how important matters concerning the sovereignty of Sabah and other pressing issues were not touched on in the assembly meeting.
He said a letter to request for a special meeting will be handed over to the Speaker soon.
He said these matters must be discussed and spoken about, not swept under the rug.
Shafie also expressed disappointment over the Speaker’s refusal to allow for other issues such as food security and the rising cost of living to be debated.
Other Opposition leaders including Datuk Darell Leiking also expressed their disappointment over the matter
