Dutch court decision proves Sulu heirs have no legal standing, says Hajiji

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said the Dutch court of appeal's dismissal of a bid by the so-called Sulu heirs to enforce a US$14.94bil (RM68.8bil) arbitration award against the Malaysian government is further proof that the group has no legal standing.

Hajiji hailed the decision and said it reaffirmed the state government's stand not to recognise the claim.

"Sabah shares the Federal Government's confidence as stated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim that it was closer to completely nullifying the award after this decision," he said in a statement on Tuesday (June 27).

A Court of Appeal in the Hague, the Netherlands on Tuesday ruled in favour of Malaysia on compensation claims by eight self-proclaimed heirs of the defunct Sulu sultanate against the country.

The move marks the third successful bid at thwarting such attempts by the claimants to seek compensation since 2019, where they earlier failed their bids in Spain and France.

One arbitration remains to be heard by the court in Luxembourg in September.

Thanking the Prime Minister and the Federal Government for the decisive action to stand firm to protect Malaysia's sovereignty, Hajiji said that the state government would continue to work closely with them until all claims are quashed.