Malaysia PM Anwar says Philippines has nothing to do with Sulu heir claims

Anwar was responding to a question by Datuk Khlir Nor, who claimed that he believed that the Philippine government was involved in the matter

The PM said government would not entertain any claims, be it by the Sulu claimants or the Philippine government, as Sabah is Malaysia’s ‘sacred’ territory

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Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim (R) speaks during the question-and-answer session at the Parliament. Photo: dpa

Published: 7:30pm, 14 Jun 2023Updated: 8:36pm, 14 Jun 2023

There is no evidence suggesting the Philippine government’s involvement in the so-called Sulu Sultanate heirs’ claim on Sabah, said Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

“As of now, there is no evidence of the Philippine government’s involvement in this. This I have to emphasise here,” he said during a special briefing in the Dewan Rakyat, or lower house of parliament, after an emergency motion was filed to allow the premier to provide an update on the Sulu case.

“I met President Marcos [Ferdinand Marcos Jnr] twice. Of course, we are offended but it does not involve the Philippine government,” he added.

He noted that the bilateral ties between the two countries are good. He added that Sabah’s status as a sovereign and independent state will not be affected.

Anwar was responding to a question by Datuk Khlir Nor, a member of the House of Representatives, who believed that the Philippine government was involved in the matter and the Lahad Duta incursion in 2013.

Anwar said the government would not entertain any claims, be it by the Sulu claimants or the Philippine government, as Sabah is Malaysia’s “sacred” territory.

He said this was not only decided by the governments of Malaysia as well as the governments of Sabah and Sarawak, but also by the people.

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