KOTA KINABALU: Sabah’s position within the federation of Malaysia is settled and it is not open to external assertion, said Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal.
The Parti Warisan president said that Sabah helped form Malaysia in 1963 under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 and is an equal partner in the Federation.
“That verified exercise of self-determination is the foundation of our sovereignty and of Sabah’s status today, further emphasising that no foreign legislation and no map can override the will of the people of Sabah,” he said in a statement.
His comment comes following a recent statement by the Philippines’ government Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) reaffirming their claim over Sabah amid renewed discussion over a 2012 Philippine map depicting the contested territory.
The Philippine News Agency reported that DFA maritime affairs spokesperson Rogelio Villanueva said the country maintains its sovereignty claim over Sabah, which is currently administered by Malaysia.
He said the enactment of the Philippine Maritime Zones Act of 2024, Republic Act 12064, did not repeal Section 2 of Republic Act 5446, which defines the baselines of the territorial zones of the Philippine archipelago and is without prejudice to the Philippines’ existing and valid claims on a portion of North Borneo.
Shafie said before Malaysia was formed, the United Nations sent a mission to North Borneo.
In its 1963 Report of the Secretary-General (UN Document A/5446), it recorded that a substantial majority of the people of Sabah supported the formation of Malaysia, he said.
“Sabah is now governed under the Federal Constitution. Sabahans vote in Malaysian elections and Sabah sends representatives to Parliament,” he said.
Shafie said Malaysian laws were applied and Malaysian courts function in Sabah without interruption whereas Malaysia’s territorial integrity, including Sabah, has been recognised internationally since 1963.
“Malaysia exercises full and continuous administration over Sabah. These are not opinions but facts,” he stressed.
He said though Sabah welcomed peaceful relations with its neighbours, it cannot and will not accept narratives that disregard the dignity, security and rights of Sabahans.
“Sabah is not an abstract claim. It is our home. Its sovereignty within Malaysia is settled and it is not negotiable,” said Shafie.
Meanwhile earlier Thursday, issues on a comprehensive review of state security matters were discussed in Sabah's first State Security Working Committee (JKKN) Meeting for 2026.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor who chaired the meeting, heard views on ways to streamline coordination and strategic cooperation among agencies to enhance preparedness, strengthen security controls, and defend the sovereignty of the state and nation against threats.
Present were the State Secretary, Datuk Seri Safar Untong, Sabah Police Commissioner, Datuk Jauteh Dikun, State Immigration Director, Datuk Sh. Sitti Saleha Habib Yussof, Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM) commander, Datuk Victor B Sanjos, Director of the Sabah Maritime and Federal Territory of Labuan, First Admiral (Maritime) Mohd Khairulanuar Abd Majid, Deputy Eastern Fleet Commander, First Admiral Erman Shahril Adlan and Secretary of the Sabah State Security Council, Datuk Awang Yahya.
