THE renewed efforts of a Filipino politician to claim Sabah as part of the Philippines has been shot down by Sabah Chief Minister Shafie Apdal and Wisma Putra today.

Shafie echoed the sentiments of the Foreign Affairs Ministry in saying former Filipino senator Aquilino “Nene” Pimentel to include Sabah as the 13th Filipino state had no legal basis.

He said Pimentel was merely using the Sabah claim to gain popularity among Filipinos.

“Elections might be coming and they are using this issue to attract supporters. But this is part and parcel of Filipino politics.

“However, I don’t think it’s wise for their politicians to do that because we are all part of the Asean community and, therefore, must be sensitive when it comes to certain issues,” he said.

According to Shafie, Manila knew full well that a referendum was called in 1963, prior to the formation of the federation.

He said international observers had gone to North Borneo, as Sabah was known then, to ascertain the wishes of the people and determined they wanted to be part of Malaysia.  

“I was very, very young at the time but I remember I followed my mother to town and we shouted ‘yes’ to forming Malaysia,” said the Semporna MP.

Wisma Putra earlier today said in a statement that Sabah is recognised by the United Nations and international community as being part of Malaysia since the formation of the federation in 1963.   

Pimentel, a member of the Philippines’ consultative committee, had reportedly made the statement on July 20, just after President Rodrigo Duterte concluded his official visit to Malaysia.

During his visit, Duterte had paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, in which he described Malaysia and the Philippines’ bilateral ties as being at its best.

“This is the second time this year that Aquilino has made the baseless remarks on Sabah,” the ministry said, warning that such statements could damage and hinder efforts to strengthen the ties between both countries.

The first time Pimentel made such a statement was in January. – July 21, 2018.