Hajiji (middle), Wan Junaidi (left) and Prime Minister’s Department Legal Affairs Division director-general Datuk Seri Khairul Dzaimee Daud (right) at the event launch on July 4.
KOTA KINABALU: Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor paid tribute to Sabahans for their conviction that Sabah is and will always be part of Malaysia amid the compensation claims by the so-called Sulu heirs against the country.
The Chief Minister said he appreciated the support from Sabahans who acknowledged that the state will always be an integral part of the Federation.
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“Let us rally together as Malaysians, in Sabah and across the nation, to reaffirm our commitment to peace and unity,” he said in his keynote speech at the International Arbitration Colloquium 2023 themed “State Sovereignty and Immunity in Commercial Arbitration” at the Sabah International Convention Centre here on Tuesday (July 4).
“We shall continue our legal battle with determination and resolve.
“By standing united, we can ensure that our future generations will inherit a nation that cherishes its diversity, respects its history and upholds the principles of peace and stability.
“Together, we will prevail so that we may continue to build a brighter future for Sabah and our people,” Hajiji added.
The Court of Appeal in The Hague, the Netherlands, decided on June 27 in favour of Malaysia on compensation claims by the eight self-proclaimed heirs of the defunct Sulu sultanate.
ALSO READ: The Hague court rejected Sulu claim on three grounds, says Azalina
The decision marked the nation's third successful bid at thwarting attempts by the claimants seeking compensation totalling US$14.94bil (RM68.8bil) against Malaysia since 2019.
Towards this end, Hajiji called on the global community to stand with Sabah in rejecting the unfounded claims by the so-called heirs, which threatened not only Malaysia but also the principles that underpin international order.
“The international community has been pivotal in supporting Malaysia’s position.
“We are grateful for the solidarity expressed by our friends and allies, who understand the importance of upholding the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity,” he said.
The Chief Minister reiterated that the recent decisions at the Paris Court of Appeal and at The Hague Court of Appeal were testaments to the government’s unwavering commitment to protecting the rights, integrity and sovereignty of Sabah.
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“It affirmed that the claim made by the self-proclaimed descendants is without legal foundation.
“We have always maintained that Sabah is an integral part of Malaysia, and this court ruling solidifies our position,” Hajiji said.
He said the Sabah government firmly rejected the so-called “Final Award” issued by arbitrator Dr Gonzalo Stampa on Feb 28 last year, and does not recognise its legitimacy.
“We consider it to be baseless, lacking any legal or historical foundation. We see it as an attempt to undermine the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Malaysia, particularly the state of Sabah,” he said.
However, the so-called Final Award, he pointed out, had sparked widespread discussion and debate requiring the nation’s attention and response.
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“I have full confidence in the Federal Government led by our Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, as well as our legal team led by the Federal Attorney General, who have been working tirelessly with our state Attorney General’s office to counter the false narratives spread by those supporting the Sulu claims.
“The Sabah government will continue to work closely with the Federal Government to deal with this case,” Hajiji said.
Hajiji also highlighted the collective efforts of organisations such as the Legal Affairs Division of the Prime Minister’s Department, the Asian International Arbitration Centre, the Institute for Development Studies, Sabah and the Sabah Law Society, together with independent history experts in assisting the state government in navigating this complex legal landscape.
Also present at the event were Dewan Negara Speaker Tan Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, Azalina via Zoom from Tokyo, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah, Sarawak Affairs and Special Functions) Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali, State Assembly Speaker Datuk Seri Kadzim Yahya, State Secretary Datuk Seri Safar Untong and State Attorney General Datuk Nor Asiah Mohd Yusof, among others.
