Rafoc Fully Supports Objection Of Sulu Sultanate S Claim

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NSTP file picKUALA LUMPUR: The Retired Armed Forces Officers Association (Rafoc) is standing firmly and in support of the prime minister's objection against the claims by the 'heirs' of Sabah.
In a statement, Rafoc president Leftenan-General (Rtd) Datuk Sri Abdul Aziz Ibrahim said that it should be noted that the participation of Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore to establish the Federation of Malaysia was not done through a 'back door'.

"It was made as a result of a people's referendum through the Lord Reid Commission to ensure that the people in the states concerned indeed intended to be with Malaysia during the establishment of the Federation of Malaysia.
"This is an undeniable statement," he said.
Abdul Aziz added that there was no denying that the history of Sabah's sovereignty was plagued by colonisation and a civil war conflict.
"It ended when the people of Sabah chose to be together during the establishment of the Federation of Malaysia in 1963.
"The harmony and prosperity enjoyed by the people of Sabah since then cannot be threatened by a group of individuals who claim to be the 'heir'.
"We as part of society support prosperity and sovereignty.
"There were even security personnel (including military officers and men) who were killed and injured in defending our sovereignty.
"Rafoc and military veterans have taken a firm stand against attempts to seize the sovereignty illegally, as well as seek financial gain easily as a result of the sweat and blood of those who fought to defend Malaysia's sovereignty," Abdul Aziz said in a statement.
He was responding to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob who reiterated yesterday that Malaysia would not entertain any claim to Sabah, which had been recognised as part of the federation since Sept 16, 1963, by the United Nations and the international community.
He said the government viewed the issue of the nation's sovereignty seriously, including Sabah's sovereignty and stability.
"The demand by parties claiming to be the descendants of Sultan Sulu against the Malaysian government through an international arbitration is invalid and violates the law.
"This is due to the revocation of arbitrator Dr Gonzalo Stampa's appointment by Madrid High Court on June 29, 2021. Hence making all actions and decisions made by Dr Stampa null and void, including the Final Award issued on Feb 28, 2022," Ismail Sabri had said.
Despite having his appointment revoked, Dr Stampa had dismissed the ruling by Madrid High Court by transferring the arbitration to Paris, France, and pursuing the process where a final award was made, he said.
In ensuring Malaysia's sovereignty and interests remain protected, Ismail Sabri said the government has applied to the court in France to set aside the award on March 3.
This, he said, was to ensure that Final Award could not be enforced by the claimant at any time and in any country so that Malaysia will not pay the US$14.9 billion (RM62.59 billion) compensation as claimed.
Malaysia previously rejected the purported final award of US$14.92 billion to be paid to the so-called heirs of the last Sultan of Sulu, Sultan Jamalul Kiram II, saying that it did not participate in the supposed arbitration proceedings that led to the award.
It had said the claim was based on an 1878 agreement between Sultan Mohamet Jamal Al Alam, the Sultan of Sulu at the time with Baron de Overbeck and Alfred Dent that contained no arbitration agreement.
The Kota Kinabalu High Court had in 2020 ruled that Malaysia was the proper venue to resolve disputes arising from the 1878 Deed of Cession and not the Spanish courts, which do not have authority nor jurisdiction over Malaysia.
Furthermore, there was no binding agreement between the government and the sultan's heirs that compelled either party to submit to arbitration in the event of a dispute, the court ruled. - NST

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