Govt launches website to provide info on Sulu claims, combat fake news

PUTRAJAYA: A website to provide information and updates on cases related to the self-styled Sulu heirs' claims over Malaysia's assets has been launched by the government.

According to Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, the website would give the public clear and accurate information on the matter while also countering the potential spread of fake news.

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"This will ensure that Malaysians and the international community are able to follow the developments of this case transparently and based on the truth.

"It will be constantly updated with any new information, documents and more from time to time in accordance with developments in this case," she said during the launch of the website on Wednesday (April 12).

The website at https://www.malaysia-sulucase.gov.my/ is the result of a combined effort by the Communications and Digital Ministry in collaboration with the Foreign Affairs Ministry and Azalina's ministry.

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It includes a summary of the historical ties between Malaysia and the Sulu Sultanate while also displaying clear chronological narratives of any legal cases related to the claims.

Azalina added that the website, which is currently only available in English, would also see Malay, French, Spanish and Tagalog language options added in phases in the near future.

Also at the launch was Foreign Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Zambry Abdul Kadir and Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil.

In February last year, the Paris Court of Arbitration through arbitrator Gonzalo Stampa ordered Malaysia to pay US$14.9bil to the self-proclaimed heirs of the Sulu sultanate.

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On July 11, an attachment order was served to PETRONAS Azerbaijan (Shah Deniz) and PETRONAS South Caucasus by bailiffs representing the eight alleged Sulu heirs.

On March 14, the Paris Court of Appeal dismissed the Sulu claimants' bid to enforce the US$14.9bil purported final award, saying that the challenge filed by the Sulu claimants was inadmissible.

On Tuesday (April 11), one of the self-proclaimed heirs, Fuad A Kiram, was declared a terrorist by the Home Ministry over his links to the Royal Sulu Force, a terrorist group that was prosecuted for the armed incursion of Lahad Datu in 2013.