Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Haji Noor says state govt firmly stands against Tausug group claims for ‘cession money’, recognition as independent ‘state kingdom.’
KOTA KINABALU – The Sabah government remains firm and stern in rejecting any claims on Sabah that are akin to questioning the state’s sovereignty within the Malaysian Federation.
“Do not question Sabah’s sovereignty in Malaysia,” said Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, adding that Sabah has the backing of the global community on this matter.
This follows the recent statement made by a group identifying themselves as the United Tausug Citizens (UTC).
Sabah stands with the federal government’s stance, refusing to entertain the claims.
“Sabahans have chosen to jointly form the Malaysian Federation through the Malaysian Agreement 1963 therefore, any external claims against the state of Sabah will not be recognised by the state government or the people.
“Even the claim by the heir of the defunct Sulu Sultanate ended with the imprisonment of the arbitarator, Gonzalo Stampa,” Hajiji said in a statement today.
The chief minister said the claim by UTC or any group on Sabah is nothing but a frivolous attempt to disrupt the state’s peace, and it is tantamount to threatening the sovereignty of the nation.
Yesterday, Law and Institutional Reform Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said revealed that a self-styled group, the UTC People of the Sultanate of Sulu, has asked the Malaysian government for immediate payment of US$15 billion (RM70.26 billion) in “cession money” and recognition of UTC as a sovereign and independent “state kingdom”.
The law minister also said UTC claimed to be the rightful custodians of the Sulu sultanate territory and threatened to commence legal action against Malaysia in the United States.
