KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 6 — The Sulu claim is a personal claim that has nothing to do with national sovereignty, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law) Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar.
He said it is a claim to the Malaysian government on what was said to be the former colonial lease of Sabah.
However, the government is observing the reaction of politicians and the Filipino government on this matter before taking any action.
“So far, Wisma Putra has been informed that there were matters raised by senators and politicians there, when the Philippine government reacts to the wishes of these politicians, only then will Wisma Putra take action,” Wan Junaidi said during the Minister’s Question Time at Dewan Rakyat, today.
He was replying to a supplementary question by Kota Kinabalu MP Chan Foong Hin, who wanted to know about the issue of the Sulu claim which according to him has now turned into an issue of national sovereignty after some Filipino senators reportedly wanted to renew the claim on Sabah as part of the Philippines.
Wan Junaidi said the issue of claims against Sabah has always been played by Filipino politicians who tried to stir up issues following the Sulu claim against Sabah.
“There was a time in the past when Ramos (former Philippines President Fidel Ramos) wanted to drop (the issue of Sabah’s claim) but it was kept as a political issue.
“But so far, it is just talk by the people and politicians there, and should not exploit the matter,” he said.
On a supplementary question by Beaufort MP Datuk Seri Azizah Mohd Dun, asking if the government is proactive in the issue of the Sulu claim, Wan Junaidi gave his commitment that the government through the established committee set up had played a proactive role.
“I guarantee we will look into each matter raised. But in the current situation, we cannot explain each and every one of our strategies in the public,” he said.
On July 12, the Paris Court of Appeal allowed the Malaysian Government’s application to suspend the enforcement of the Final Award dated February 28, 2022, issued by arbitrator Gonzalo Stampa following the Sulu claim through an international arbitration proceeding in Madrid, Spain.
— Bernama
