SABAH Chief Minister Musa Aman has rejected the Philippines’ latest claims  the state belongs to them

He said Sabah has been part of Malaysia since the formation of the federation in September 16, 1963.  

“I have made our stand on this matter before. Let me once again clearly state we do not recognise or acknowledge any claim by the Philippines or any other country on Sabah,” he said in a statement today.

He said Sabahans will choose to stay in Malaysia due to economic prosperity, peace and stability.

Earlier, foreign affairs minister Anifah Aman said Malaysia does not recognise the unending Philippines claim on Sabah, stating Sabah is recognised by the United Nations and the international community as part of Malaysia since 1963.

This was in response to a Philippines news reports a member of the consultative committee plans to include Sabah as part of the Philippines territory under his proposed amendments to the constitution.

Former senator Aquilino Pimentel said the Philippine government must find ways to assert the Sabah claim in a way acceptable to international laws.

His proposal includes 12 federal states with Sabah to be added as the 13th federal state later.

Pimentel said there are documents to prove Sabah belongs to the Philippines and Malaysia is just a lessee.

He said these documents are the 1878 land lease agreement between the Sultanate of Sulu and the British North Borneo Chartered Company.

The Philippines maintains the agreement was only for leasing the land and did not render Sabah part of Malaysia when it was formed into a federation in 1963.  

This is not the first time Sabahans have heard such claim, Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte also made a promise to claim Sabah during the country’s 2016 elections.

Meanwhile, Parti Warisan Sabah deputy president Darell Leiking demanded the Malaysian government end the Philippines’ claim, citing  Pimentel’s plans as an act of provocation towards Sabah and Putrajaya.

“The Sabah Barisan Nasional leaders must provide a concrete solution through diplomatic action or through the United Nations.

“BN leaders need to send a clear message to Manila to stop this act of provocation,” said the Penampang MP.

He said Sabahans will remain in doubt on the federal pledge to protect their rights and interests if such claims continue to surface.  

DAP Sabah Chairman Stephen Wong said the endless claim was the result of federal government, especially Anifah’s failure to stop it.

“It is very irritating and making Sabahans restless. The biggest failures are our federal government and our foreign affairs minister who are are not doing a good job.

“How come something like this be dragged on for more than 50 years. The Malaysian government should make the Philippines drop the claim,” he said. – January 31, 2018