Sulu heirs' attempt to seize M'sian assets in Netherlands is illegal, says Wan Junaidi

KUALA LUMPUR: The latest attempt by the party claiming to be the heir of the Sultanate of Sulu to seize assets claimed to belong to Malaysia in the Netherlands is another act of taking advantage and breaking the law.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Parliament and Law) Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said, the action is against and violates arbitration rules and norms under the New York Convention and The United Nations Commission on International Trade Law.

"The government, through the special team to handle the issue of claims of the heirs of Jamalul Kiram II (Sultan of Sulu) against the Malaysian government, has discussed this matter and has strategic measures that will be implemented.

"However, I cannot reveal the matter here," he said when answering a question from Datuk Seri Azizah Mohd Dun (Bersatu - Beauford) during the Dewan Rakyat session on Thursday (Oct 6).

He added that the government through the Attorney General's Office always strives and would challenge all legal processes that need to be faced.

Meanwhile, commenting on the role of the people of Sabah to understand the real issue and condemning the actions of the prosecutor, Wan Junaidi stressed that the responsibility to look after the national interest was a shared role.

"In other words, the people of Sabah also have a role to filter and prevent the spread of inaccurate news on the issue of claims by those who claim to be heirs to the Sultanate of Sulu and ensure that focus is given to legitimate information from government sources.

"The government welcomes help from the general public to always defend the country's interests even through social media," he said.

It was previously reported that the heirs of the Sultanate of Sulu had submitted an application to recognise and enforce the order (final award) in the Dutch Court against Malaysian assets there, including a range of assets belonging to Petronas.

The Sulu claimants had attempted to seize Petronas assets in Luxembourg earlier this year and Malaysia had instituted legal proceedings to stop the action.