Sabah not a commodity to solve foreign problems, say political parties after Philippines' senator's remarks

KOTA KINABALU - Sabah is not a commodity to solve issues faced by other countries, says Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah Youth.

Its acting youth chief Azrul Ibrahim said Sabah is part of a sovereign nation and its position within the federation cannot be questioned by any party.

“Attempts to link Sabah to current oil and gas issues as an excuse to revive outdated claims are unwarranted and are meant to divert the internal crisis suffered by certain parties,” he said in a statement Friday (March 27).

This comes after Philippines Senator Robin Padilla urged President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to revive the Philippines’ claim over Sabah amid the petroleum crisis and price hike due to the Middle East crisis.

Padilla had said in a Facebook post that the Philippine government should send emissaries to Malaysia to negotiate territorial claims over Sabah - a Malaysian state known to be rich in oil and gas.

“We condemn this statement. It is irresponsible and opposes the principle of sovereignty and international laws,” said Azrul.

“Sabah is not a commodity to solve problems faced by other countries,” he said in urging the Home Ministry to make a formal objection towards the statement.

He also called on the Federal Government to pay close attention to the issue to ensure the sovereignty of this country.

“Sabahans must remain calm, united and not to be swayed or influenced by any such statements which could cause confusion,” Azrul said, adding that Gagasan Rakyat youth will continue to stand firm in defending the state.

Likewise, Sabah Keadilan said the statement was made on baseless grounds and a shallow approach in facing the global fuel crisis.

He said this Sabah claim issue has long been solved through history, law and the people’s wish.

“Sabah, through the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), has formed the federation of Malaysia and is recognised internationally,” said its Information Chief Ahmad Farid Sainuri.

He said Padilla’s attempts to revive the claim was to garner political support, without taking into consideration the diplomatic implications on both Malaysia and the Philippines.

He said international courts had also rejected multiple claims on Sabah and Malaysia over the past few years, including attempts to initiate arbitration procee­dings in Spain, seeking billions in compensation from Malaysia over Sabah, and the dismissal in full the challenge filed by the claimants against the decision of the Paris Court of Appeal.

Ahmad said the consecutive successes proves that all attempts to challenge Sabah’s sovereignty within Malaysia was futile and would continue to be turned down by international legal systems.

“This also closes any attempts to manipulate the Sabah issue using international laws,” he said.

He said the Madani government under the leadership of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, continues to prove that it prioritises the welfare and needs of Sabahans.

“Therefore, Sabah Keadilan wishes to stress once again that Sabah is a sovereign state in Malaysia and any attempts to dispute this fact is just rhetorical and a propaganda, aimed at disrupting the peace in this region,” said Ahmad.

He urged all parties and nations to respect a government’s sovereignty and to refrain from using sensitive issues as cheap political tools.

He said the focus now should be on strengthening regional cooperations and bonds for the good of the people, and not reviving stale polemics that have already been rejected by history and laws. - THE STAR