Sultanate of Sulu demand the return of Sabah from Malaysia?

[Malaya]

Invoke 1963 Manila Accord to protect Filipinos, assert rights in Sabah, Aquino urged

MANILA, Philippines – The Sultanate of Sulu on Sunday urged the Aquino administration to use the spirit of the 1963 Manila Accord to assert the Philippines’ rights over Sabah for the protection of Filipinos now living in the disputed territory.

Sultanate secretary general Abraham Idjirani, spokesman of Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III, said that the Philippine government can utilize the Accord which was signed by Malaysia as well as Indonesia and was recognized by the United Nations Secretary General.

"Kung ginamit ng ating pamahalaan ang 1963 Manila Accord, may pangil ang ating apela upang protektahan ang ating kababayan [If our government had used the 1963 accord, our appeal would have teeth and we could better protect our countrymen],” Idjiirani said in an interview over DzBB.

1963 Manila Accord

The Manila Accord, an initiative of Diosdado Macapagal, was signed on 31 July 1963 by the Federation of Malaya, Republic of Indonesia and Republic of the Philippines after a meeting from June 7 to 11, 1963 in Manila.

The countries agreed to abide by the wishes of the people of North Borneo (now Sabah and Labuna) and Sarawak, within the context of the UN General Assembly Resolution 1541 (XV), Principle 9 of the Annex, taking into account referendums in North Borneo and Sarawak that would be free and without coercion.

The Accord lists a series of agreements between the Federation of Malaya, the Republic of Indonesia, and the Republic of the Philippines, and a joint statement by all three parties.

Because of the 1963 Manila Accord, the Indonesia president also appealed for the protection of more than 8,000 Indonesian nationals in Sabah. Kaya kung talagang may basehan tayo, tulad ng 1963 Manila Accord, papakinggan tayo ng Malaysia kasi isinasaad sa Manila Accord, na ang Sabah claim ay hindi pa nadedesisyunan ng United Nations [So that if we really have a basis, as in the 1963 Accord, Malaysia will be forced to hear us because the Manila Accord states that the Sabah Claim has not yet been resolved by the UN],” Idjiirani explained.

Invoking the 1963 Manila Accord, the Philippines can tell Malaysia through a diplomatic note that Filipinos in Sabah have the right to protection in view of the Sultanate’s administrative authority over Sabah.

"Yes (we can assert our rights), that is the right thing for our policy makers to do. If Malaysia ignores us, we would have a basis to appeal to the UN, and the Secretary General can intervene,” he further explained.

Revive, not study Sabah claim

Idjiirani also said the Aquino government should not just study the claim, but revive it now since all the necessary documents were submitted by renowned Filipino international law experts. He cited as examples such luminaries as former senators Jovito Salonga and Arturo Tolentino.

He feared that if Malacanang would just initiate a study on the claim over Sabah, it may favor Malaysia.

"They might just look for loopholes in submitting the Sabah claim to the UN, hence, our emphasis on revival not study.”

Invoke 1963 Manila Accord to protect Filipinos, assert rights in Sabah, Aquino urged - InterAksyon.com

 

[nufix]

Invoke 1963 Manila Accord to protect Filipinos, assert rights in Sabah, Aquino urged

This is what I fear the most, if this accord is about to be brought to surface again, it may create a sense of dissatisfactory to the involving parties. Thus, the worst scenario would be; it may end up Indonesia invading Malaysia again like in 1962-1966 knowing that North Borneo confrontation is not actually ended yet and the cause of it (Manila Accord) is still unclear. Philippines in the other hands, will likely take a part in the conflict probably by encouraging Sulu army as Philippines never had any history of direct conflict for North Borneo.

The result could be a triangle war between Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines, Malaysia better be solving this conflict real quick before this Manila Accord starts to take global attention, or else, some itchy trigger fingers in Jakarta would love to declare "Konfrontasi" part II.

 

[Bob Ong]

You think the US would help them?

The Sabah problem between the Philippines and Malaysia was created by Brits.

Why not ask them instead?

Has anyone noticed that since the Sabah issue came out not a word from the British? mukhang guilty eh.

This is what I fear the most, if this accord is about to be brought to surface again, it may create a sense of dissatisfactory to the involving parties. Thus, the worst scenario would be; it may end up Indonesia invading Malaysia again like in 1962-1966 knowing that North Borneo confrontation is not actually ended yet and the cause of it (Manila Accord) is still unclear. Philippines in the other hands, will likely take a part in the conflict probably by encouraging Sulu army as Philippines never had any history of direct conflict for North Borneo.

The result could be a triangle war between Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines, Malaysia better be solving this conflict real quick before this Manila Accord starts to take global attention, or else, some itchy trigger fingers in Jakarta would love to declare "Konfrontasi" part II.

Indonesia still claim Sarawak right?

 

[nufix]

Indonesia still claim Sarawak right?

Most nationalists think so, the democrats are somewhat moderate towards the North Borneo issue. Lucky for Malaysia until 2014, Indonesian president is still from democratic line of people.

 

[Malaya]

This is what I fear the most, if this accord is about to be brought to surface again, it may create a sense of dissatisfactory to the involving parties. Thus, the worst scenario would be; it may end up Indonesia invading Malaysia again like in 1962-1966 knowing that North Borneo confrontation is not actually ended yet and the cause of it (Manila Accord) is still unclear. Philippines in the other hands, will likely take a part in the conflict probably by encouraging Sulu army as Philippines never had any history of direct conflict for North Borneo.

The result could be a triangle war between Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines, Malaysia better be solving this conflict real quick before this Manila Accord starts to take global attention, or else, some itchy trigger fingers in Jakarta would love to declare "Konfrontasi" part II.

I agree that's likely the worst scenerio.

I hope Malaysia will have the wisdom to communicate with the Sultanate of Sulu and not be foolish to underestimate its capacity and other Filipino Muslim sympathizers to undertake guerrilla warfare which could last forever for them.

 

[Malaya]

Sultanate decries 'crackdown' on Sabah Kirams, claims sultan's uncle 'executed'
By Allan Nawal
By: Abigail Kwok, InterAksyon.com
March 26, 2013

MANILA, Philippines -- (UPDATE - 4:28 p.m.) The sultanate of Sulu on Tuesday decried what it claimed was a “crackdown” on members of the Kiram family living in Sabah, including the alleged execution of an uncle of Sultan Jamalul Kiram III.

Abraham Idjirani, secretary general and spokesman of the sultanate, claimed Ustadz Janjan, 72, was killed “either yesterday or today.”

Idjirani made the claim a day after he confirmed that Datu Ahmirbaham Hussein Kiram, a nephew of the sultan, and his wife Gina were arrested by Malaysian security forces in Semporna early Saturday.

Hussein is the son of the sultan’s younger brother Bantilan Esmail Kiram II.

Janjan, said Idjirani, was arrested in Semporna last week and accused of involvement with the more than 200 followers of the sultanate, led by Kiram’s brother, Raja Muda Agbimuddin Kiram, who went to Sabah in February to press their claim to the territory and ended up battling Malaysian security forces.

He said it was Agbimuddin who informed him of Janjan's alleged fate in a phone call earlier Tuesday.

There have been conflicting accounts about Agbimuddin, with Malaysian authorities claiming he has fled Sabah and is hiding out in one of the southern Philippine islands and the sultanate maintaining he remains in the territory.

"He (Janjan) was arrested and killed because he is a relative of the sultan and was accused of masterminding the standoff but in fact he has been living there for a long time," Idjirani said.

But he could not say whether Janjan, who has been a Sabah resident since the early 1990s, was still a Filipino citizen.

Idjirani voiced fears more of the sultan’s relatives would be arrested as he accused Malaysian authorities of targeting members of the Kiram family even if they had nothing to do with the crisis triggered by the arrival there of Agbimuddin’s group.

He reiterated the sultanate’s call for the Philippine government to intercede and stop the alleged harassment of Filipinos in Sabah.

Sultanate decries 'crackdown' on Sabah Kirams, claims sultan's uncle 'executed' - InterAksyon.com

 

[Malaya]

Has anyone noticed that since the Sabah issue came out not a word from the British? mukhang guilty eh.

Wala nga . May statement pero not related sa sabah eto huling article nabasa ko The British arms industry wants to supply the Philippines (DND) with state-of-the-art weaponry.

 

[Malaya]

Sabah: Muslims’ Aid Sought
Council Of Royal Sharifs Want UN, OIC, ASEAN To Intervene In Conflict
Published: March 26, 2013
ZAMBOANGA CITY – The Council of Royal Sharifs, the sovereign heirs and descendants of the royal families of the Sultanate of Sulu and North Borneo yesterday called on the Muslim world to help them recover Sabah, which they claimed was illegally included in the Malaysian Federation.

The Council of Royal Sharifs also appealed to the United Nations (UN), the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) to intervene to end the armed hostilities in Sabah, Malaysia between the Sabah forces and members of the Royal Armed Forces of the Sultanate of Sulu.

A resolution seeking the help of the Muslim work was adopted in a consultative meeting of the Council of Royal Sharifs on the Sabah issue here yesterday.

The council also asked that Muslim world to intervene and stop the violation of human rights of the innocent civilians affected by the hostilities, extend humanitarian assistance to all victims of the Sabah crisis, and undertake the peaceful resolution of the Sabah claim of the Sultanate of Sulu and North Borneo and bring final conclusion to the Sabah issues.

The Council of Royal Sharifs insisted that Islam has commanded and prescribed a peaceful and compassionate resolution of differences and problems among Muslims because Islam is a religion of peace.

About 100 Sharifs from Sulu, Basilan, Tawi Tawi, Palawan, and Zamboanga Peninsula attended the forum and manifested their unified voice and said that they will continue to uphold and to support the proprietary and sovereignty rights of the Sultan of Sulu and North Borneo over Sabah.

Among those who served as resourced speakers in the consultative meeting on the Sabah issue were Datu Albi Julkarnain, chairman, Council of Royal Datus of the Sultanate of Sulu and North Borneo who discussed on the historical background of the Sabah Issues: Sulu 1st District Rep Habib Tupay Loong who discussed on the need for unity of all Sultan claimants to the Sultanate of Sulu; and Ustadz Abdulbaki Abubakar, the Grand Mufti of Zamboanga Peninsula, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi who discussed about the religious implications of the Sabah standoff.

Also present in the meeting were Dr. Sharif Adzhar Sarahadil, education assistant regional director in Zamboanga peninsula: Habib RASUL RASDI, deputy secretary general of MNLF: Dir. Habib Madsmo Hashim, director, DPWH: Dr. Habib Fred Ali Plaza: Salip Aloy Jainal, former mayor, Indanan, Sulu and Ustadz Bas Alhabsi.

The Council of Royal Sharifs claimed that the territory was ceded by the Sultan of Brunei as a gift to the Sultan of Sulu for helping suppressed a rebellion against the Sultanate of Brunei.

They also condemn how the Malaysian government handles the crisis in Sabah, just to prevent Raja Mudah Agbimuddin Kiram and his escorts to establish a home in the disputed territory in Sabah.

Rep. Loong who was one of the resource speakers in the forum yesterday said that the Sharifs were dismayed over the armed confrontation that occur between two Muslim forces (Kiram gunmen and Malaysian soldiers) as a way of resolving differences and problems.

Rep. Loong said the manifesto was also forwarded to the Secretary General of the United Nations, the Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the Secretary General of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, and the Secretary General of the Non-Aligned Movement.

The same manifesto was also sent to the Ambassadors of the United States, Great Britain, China, Indonesia, Kingdom of Brunei, and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for their information and support.

The resolution was signed by the Board of Trustees and officers as well as members of the Council of Royal Sharifs, Rep. Loong said.

http://www.mb.com.ph/article.php?aid=5088&sid=1&subid=1#.UVFytxynpPk



Kiram on Aquino: He's not acting like a Filipino

For Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III, President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III has failed the Filipino people when he chose to go with Malaysia in deciding on the Sabah crisis.

The embattled 74-year-old Muslim leader also hit Aquino for "siding" with Malaysia instead of "hearing out" what his fellow Filipinos would say.

"I've been thinking our enemy are the Malaysians..and I remember what the president said, "kayo ang boss ko", boss niya pala mga Malaysian [You are my boss. Instead his bosses are the Malaysians," Kiram said, noting of Aquino's famous inauguration line.

Kiram also lamented why Aquino did not even listen to his grievances.

"What kind of... why could he not help us assess this matter? He's our president and he's Filipino. He doesn't like to become a Filipino! And I'm more Filipino than they are," Kiram told Yahoo! Southeast Asia in an exclusive interview.

This develops as the Malaysian government continues to refuse Kiram's proposed unilateral ceasefire and amid a Philippine subpoena to the Muslim leader's adviser. Aquino has continually called for Kiram's supporters to lay down their arms and "come home."

Kiram said his brother, Raja Muda Agbimuddin, and his followers had waited for so long before taking action on their claims to Sabah.

It could be recalled that Aquino himself admitted that as early as 2010, Kiram sent a letter to him but his office failed to respond after the letter went missing due to "bureaucratic maze."

"Let me make clear that there was no intention to ignore your letter. Knowing this now, will you let your mistaken belief dictate your course of action?" Aquino had said.

Celia Kiram, the Sultan's wife, said during the initial days of the standoff, the Aquino administration also sent emissaries such as ARMM Acting Governor Mujiv Hataman, presidential political adviser Ronald Llamas, and Cesar Garcia, Director-General of the National Security Council.

She however lamented that these "emissaries" were not after negotiations with the Sultan.

"It's not a negotiation but a coercion," the Sultan's wife added.

Aquino, for his part, however claims Kiram had "conspirators" and warned that charges were being readied. Kiram however claims this was his and his supporters own doing as they impose their "rights" on Sabah.

"Money is not [what's important]. What's important is our right, dignity and honor," said Kiram.

"I want to leave a legacy in our homeland, I believe it is really legal, we can show the world we have evidence and the right," he added.

Kiram on Aquino: He's not acting like a Filipino



SABAH, JUST SABAH | Filipinos should drop Malaysia when referring to Sabah, official says
By: Abigail C. Kwok, InterAksyon.com
March 26, 2013 3:36 PM

Filipinos are supposed to call Sabah as just that--Sabah--without attaching Malaysia to it. A Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) official brought this matter up on Tuesday, citing Memorandum Circular No. 162 issued by Malacanang back in 2008.

The document directed government agencies to refer to Sabah as just Sabah and not Sabah, Malaysia, Lawyer Roy Ecraela of the DFA Office of the Undersecretary of Special and Ocean Concerns said.

Ecraela issued the statement on Tuesday as different agencies met with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) on Monday to discuss humanitarian aid to Filipinos displaced by the conflict in Sabah.

During the meeting, a representative of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) referred to those displaced as the people who left "Sabah, Malaysia."

This prompted an official from the Philippine Coast Guard to ask if government policy has already changed regarding Sabah, which the Philippines still has a claim on.

"Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, na lang. Tanggalin na 'yung Malaysia," Ecraela told reporters later.
(Let's just call it Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. Leave out the Malaysia.)

The Supreme Court ruled in July 16, 2011 that the Philippines could still pursue its claim to Sabah, Ecraela said, adding that the decision is separate and different from Memorandum Circular No. 162 and Republic Act 5446 or the Baselines Law.

During the same meeting, agencies agreed to call those coming back from Sabah as "displaced persons" and not evacuees or returnees.

As of March 23, a total of 3,693 Filipinos have arrived from Sabah, Ramon Santos, director of the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, said.

On Monday afternoon, 186 more persons arrived from Sabah and were given assistance by local agencies.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/...alaysia-when-referring-to-sabah-official-says

 

[Zero_wing]

wag na man pero maganda ito balita

 

[nufix]

I agree that's likely the worst scenerio.

I hope Malaysia will have the wisdom to communicate with the Sultanate of Sulu and not be foolish to underestimate its capacity and other Filipino Muslim sympathizers to undertake guerrilla warfare which could last forever for them.

Malaysia is actually making a similar mistake like Indonesia did in East Timor in this war against Sulu rebels. Those rebels are close relative to MNLF rebels, these rebels were born to fight, not to think how to get home, battle hardened by guerrilla war against Phil government for decades. They simply don't afraid of death so to say.

The best solution is to send small sized group of infantries, specialized in anti-guerrilla warfare which can sustain attrition and is not depended on supplies from the HQ. So the war will go covertly without attracting foreign concern.

Indonesia lost East Timor because of the use of massive military equipment to smack the rebels like Artillery and Bombers included Napalm bombs. At first, the strategy was proven success to rapidly shrink the number of bases used by the rebel army as outposts and supply posts. But in the end, the use of massive military equipment raised global concern, finally many countries started to urge Indonesia to leave East Timor, even some countries threatened Indonesia with total embargo.

Such massive attack can't avoid collateral damages, public facilities and even civilian lifes will unavoidably be affected from the attack, that will rise global concern on Human Right abuses, thus making foreign eyes look to the country involved in the attack. What about those rebels?, rebel army can sustain such attack like bombs and artillery, they know their places, they live in jungles, they know the best hideout and the best shelter in there.

That's why Indonesia now plays silent war in Papua against Papuan Freedom Organization with its paramilitary wing called TPN (Papua Liberation Army), although many human rights organizations bash Indonesia for "colonizing" Papua, they still can't find any solid evidence to force their governments to put a pressure on Indonesia.

Malaysia in the other hands, should stop using bombers and artillery against Sulu rebels, the more civilian casualties, the more foreigners rise question to Malaysia regarding its operations that harm human rights. From what I understand, Malaysia is trying to perform a show of force to either Philippines or Sulu or even the world. But they are doing it wrong, very wrong.

 

[Bob Ong]

Most nationalists think so, the democrats are somewhat moderate towards the North Borneo issue. Lucky for Malaysia until 2014, Indonesian president is still from democratic line of people.

I see, they should pray so hard then that no Nationalist Presidential hopeful will win in the next election hehe

wag na man pero maganda ito balita

it's a good sign

 

[Malaya]

Gov't told: Get Kiram nod before reviving Sabah claim
By Mike Frialde (philstar.com) | Updated March 27, 2013

MANILA, Philippines - The Sultanate of Sulu and North Borneo on Wednesday advised Malacañang to seek an audience first with Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III before making any moves to lay territorial claim on Sabah.

Sultanate spokesman Abraham Idjirani said a cooperation between Malacañang and the Sultanate would strengthen the Philippine claim over Sabah.

“You cannot remove the right of the Sultan of Sulu. As the Sultan of Sulu, he inherited the legal authority. We could say that he is the owner of Sabah,” Idjirani told reporters at the residence of Sultan Kiram at the Maharlika Village in Taguig City.

“Because of that only the Sultan of Sulu can lay claim on territories lying outside the national boundaries of the Philippines,” Idjirani added.

Idjirani said that the Sultanate, through a special power of authority, gave the Philippine government the authority to pursue the Sabah claim.

Idjirani said the special power of authority was revoked by the Sultanate in 1989 after the Sultanate felt that the claim was not being vigorously pursued.

“What we are saying is that before there is any attempt by the Philippine government to file a claim on Sabah, they need to talk to the Sultan of Sulu together with the royal families. This will also show that this is now a joint effort between the government and the Filipino people,” said Idjirani.

“The effort to lay Philippine territorial sovereignty over Sabah was delegated by the Sultan of Sulu to the Philippine government in 1961. If the government wants its claim to be legally and historically strong, it needs a fresh special power of authority from Sultan Jamalul Kiram III,” added Idjirani.

Idjirani said the Sultanate of Sulu and North Borneo is just waiting for Malacanang’s invitation to be part of the process to claim Sabah for the Philippines.

According to Idjirani, the royal families and heirs of the Sultanate of Sulu have already drafted a manifesto on Monday which affirmed their support for Sultan Jamalul Kiram III and urging the government to actively pursue the Philippine’s claim on Sabah. Idjirani said the manifesto would be sent to President Aquino.

For his part, Sultan Jamalul Kiram said that in the event that Malaysia lets go of Sabah, the Philippine government must recognize the authority of the Sultanate of Sulu and North Borneo over the territory.

Meanwhile, Idjirani slammed the “hamletting” being used by the Malaysian security forces in Sabah saying that it is just a psychological warfare tactic to scare the Filipinos living in Sabah.

“It is a psy war by Malaysia to force the Filipinos to leave,” he said.

Idjirani said Malaysia is afraid that it might lose Sabah to a referendum should the United Nations call for one.

According to Idjirnai, Sabah has a population of 3.2 million with Filipinos, including those undocumented numbering about 1.5 million.

“Malaysia is now afraid. It knows that with the standoff now, the Filipinos are being united by the Sabah issue,” he said.

http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2013/03/27/924632/govt-told-get-kiram-nod-reviving-sabah-claim

 

[Malaya]

‘Malaysia is afraid’
FMT Staff | March 28, 2013

Sabah's population of 3.2 million includes 1.5 million documented and undocumented Filipinos and the backlash of the recent invasion has 'united' the Filipinos in Sabah and in Sulu.

KOTA KINABALU: Sulu sultanate spokesman Abraham Idjirani today slammed the Malaysian security forces for restricting the movements of Filipino residents in Sabah to such an extent that these frightened individuals now want to return to the Philippines.

“It is a psy-war by Malaysia to force the Filipinos to leave,” Idjirani said, adding that with the end of the standoff a new reality had emerged for Malaysia.

He said the Sulu sultanate was adamant on its claim for Sabah and this was seen as a threat to Malaysia.

Idjirani said Sabah’s population of 3.2 million included the 1.5 million documented and undocumented Filipinos and the “war” waged between the sultanate’s army and the Malaysian securities forces had “united” the Filipinos.

“Malaysia is now afraid. It knows that with the standoff now, the Filipinos are being united by the Sabah issue,” Idjirani said.

He said the sultanate through Manila will push for a United Nations-sanctioned referendum to be called on Sabah.

“Malaysia is afraid that it might lose Sabah in a referendum should the UN call for one,” he added.

Thousands leaving

Meanwhile, the Philippine Embassy in Malaysia said thousands of Sulus who had entered Sabah illegally are taking up its offer to return home and “re-enter” Malaysia legally.

The embassy, which has been monitoring the situation here following the shootout between armed Sulu insurgents and local securities forces on 1 March, said that it has been distributing the legal documents since March 12.

Philippine ambassador Abdulhan U Jaujan said the Philippine government was offering the Sulus “a ticket home”.

“The offer is for those who had entered the state illegally or [residing] Suluks as well as Filipino nationals who were born in Sabah but have yet to obtain documents.

“We are providing them with the legal travel documents, such as passports. We are also helping settle any fines imposed by the Malaysian Immigration Department including their transport costs,” he said.

Abdulhan said the offer was also extended to Sulus who were married to locals in Sabah.

He said thus far more than 300 Suluks had left Sabah via Sandakan, the key entry and exit point for Filipinos living in Tawi-Tawi and Jolo in southern Mindanao.

The Philippine Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), meanwhile, said its relief teams have been on standby in Tawi-Tawi and Sulu to give aid to the Filipinos fleeing from the tension and recent violence in Sabah.
Thus far, the teams have assisted more than 3,000 evacuees from Sabah.

Sulus ‘unite’

On a related matter, online website, the Philippine Star, reported that the Council of Royal Sharifs had earlier this week gathered all the Datus and heirs of the sultanate from Sulu, Basilan, Tawi-Tawi and Palawan together and signed a manifesto detailing their unified stand to reclaim Sabah.

The Council of Royal Sharifs are assets protector and comprise heirs, and descendants of the sultanate of Sulu.

A spokesman for the Royal Sharifs, Tupay Loong, said they had conducted consultations and had initiated efforts to bring all claimants together to speak as one voice to force Malaysia to return Sabah to the sultanate.

The group also appealed to the UN, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), and the Philippine government to intervene to end the hostilities and to stop the violation of human rights in the Sabah crisis.

http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2013/03/28/malaysia-is-afraid/

 

[Malaya]

‘It’s Sabah, not Sabah, Malaysia’
Tempo Online on Mar 28th, 2013

Manila, Philippines – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has called on all government agencies not to refer to Sabah as part of Malaysia due to an existing Philippine claim over the resource-rich territory.

In an inter-agency meeting Tuesday at the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, lawyer Roy Ecraela of the DFA Office of Special Concerns said Memorandum Circular 162 issued during the time of former President now Pampanga Rep. Gloria M. Arroyo calls on all government agencies to use only Sabah when referring to the Malaysian-controlled territory where the Philippines has an existing claim.

Foreign Affairs spokesman Raul Hernandez explained that the 2008 memorandum is an “existing regulation” and must be complied with by all government departments, agencies, and instrumentalities. “It is an existing circular which has not been amended or changed yet,” Hernandez told a press briefing.

Sabah, located south of Mindanao, is territorially disputed by the Philippines and Malaysia. A Philippine claim for sovereignty over Sabah has lain dormant for decades, but Malaysia continues to pay a yearly rent to the heirs of Sultan of Sulu, who claim to be the descendants of the original Filipino sultan who had control over the territory for centuries.

Hernandez said the directive discourages government agencies from referring to Sabah, home to 800,000 Filipinos, “as being part of a larger national or federal territory” and for them not “to make any act or statement expressing or implying any recognition of a foreign state’s sovereignty over Sabah.”

“This is because of the existing claim that we have in that area,” Hernandez said. “It is important that we follow these guidelines of 2008 so that we have a consistent position regarding this issue.”

On February 12, Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III sent his followers to Sabah to reclaim their homeland, which prompted a bloody crackdown by Malaysia.

Kiram said he deployed his men to Sabah as efforts to get it back from Malaysia have been relegated to the backburner by the Philippine government.

He said his forebears leased Sabah to a British company in the 1870s but was illegally annexed by Great Britain that then handed over the territory to Malaysia when it gained independence from the British Crown in 1963. (PNA)

‘It’s Sabah, not Sabah, Malaysia’ | Tempo - News in a Flash



Palace urged to first meet with Sulu sultan before reclaiming Sabah
By Mike Frialde (The Philippine Star) | Updated March 28, 2013

MANILA, Philippines - The sultanate of Sulu yesterday urged Malacañang to first neet with Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III before making any formal effort to reclaim Sabah.

Sultanate spokesman Abraham Idjirani said cooperation between Malacañang and the sultanate would strengthen the Philippine claim over Sabah.

“You cannot remove the right of the Sultan of Sulu. As the Sultan of Sulu, he inherited the legal authority. We could say that he is the owner of Sabah,” Idjirani told reporters at the residence of Kiram at the Maharlika Village in Taguig City.

“Because of that only the Sultan of Sulu can lay claim on territories lying outside the national boundaries of the Philippines,” Idjirani added.

He said the sultanate, through a special power of authority, gave the Philippine government the authority to pursue the Sabah claim in 1961. Idjirani said the special power of authority was revoked by the sultanate in 1989 after the sultanate felt that the claim was not being vigorously pursued.

“What we are saying is that before there is any attempt by the Philippine government to file a claim on Sabah, they need to talk to the Sultan of Sulu together with the royal families. This will also show that this is now a joint effort between the government and the Filipino people,” said Idjirani.

“The effort to lay Philippine territorial sovereignty over Sabah was delegated by the Sultan of Sulu to the Philippine government in 1961. If the government wants its claim to be legally and historically strong, it needs a fresh special power of authority from Sultan Jamalul Kiram III,” added Idjirani.

He said the sultanate of Sulu is just waiting for Malacanang’s invitation to be part of the process to reclaim Sabah.

Idjirani said the royal heirs of the sultanate drafted a manifesto last Monday which affirmed their support for Sultan Kiram and urged the government to actively pursue the Philippines’ claim on Sabah. Idjirani said the manifesto would be sent to President Aquino.

Kiram said in the event that Malaysia returns Sabah, the Philippine government should recognize the authority of the sultanate of Sulu over the territory.

Idjirani slammed the “hamletting” of Filipino residents in Sabah that Malaysian security forces have enforced to make the Filipinos leave.

“It is a psy-war by Malaysia to force the Filipinos to leave,” he said.

Idjirani said Malaysia is afraid that it might lose Sabah in a referendum should the United Nations call for one.

He said Sabah has a population of 3.2 million, including 1.5 million documented and undocumented Filipinos.

“Malaysia is now afraid. It knows that with the standoff now, the Filipinos are being united by the Sabah issue,” he said.

Sultanate heirs seek unity

The Council of Royal Sharifs (assets protector), heirs, and descendants of the sultanate of Sulu called for a united stand to have one voice to reclaim Sabah.

“What is needed now under the present situation is for all legitimate claimants of Sabah to be united because we would want them to stand as one and we wanted to have one voice so that the international community will not get confused as to who should be the lead claimant,” said Sulu Rep. Tupay Loong, a member of the royal sharifs.

He said the sharifs have conducted consultations and initiated efforts to bring all claimants together to speak as one voice to force the Malaysians to return Sabah to the sultanate.

The Council of Royal Sharif have gathered all the datus and heirs of the sultanate from Sulu, Basilan, Tawi-Tawi and Palawan that signed early this week a manifesto detailing its unified stand.

The group also appealed to the United Nations, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), and the Philippine government to intervene to end the hostilities, stop the violation of human rights and extend humanitarian assistance to all victims of the Sabah crisis.

A copy of the manifesto signed last Monday will be forwarded to the UN Secretary General, OIC, ASEAN, NAM, Philippine government, and sultanate of Sulu, and the ambassadors of the US, Great Britain, China, Indonesia, Brunei, and Saudi Arabia.

A copy of the manifesto provided to The STAR stated that the heirs would continue to support the proprietary and sovereign rights of the sultan of Sulu over Sabah, a territory they said was ceded by the sultan of Brunei as gift to the sultan of Sulu for helping suppress a rebellion against the sultan of Brunei in the 1800s.

The group recognized the contract of lease and debunked what the Malaysian government calls a “cession agreement” over Sabah on Jan. 22, 1878 that was forged by Sultan Jamalul Alam and Gustavus Baron de Overbeck with his associate Alfred Dent for a fee of $5,000 annually that was subsequently raised to $5,300.

The group also accepted the agreement of the sultan of Sulu forged by Sultan Muhammad Ismael Kiram I with the Philippines under then Pres. Diosdado Macapagal on Sep. 12, 1962 that empowered the government of the Philippines to pursue the Sabah claim.

They strongly objected to the referendum among Sabah residents that the United Nations Mission conducted in 1963, which the heirs described as being without the consent of the Sulu sultanate.

The council and heirs deplored the actions launched by the Malaysian authorities against Agbimuddin Kiram and his followers through massive ground, aerial and naval assaults.

They also condemned Malaysian authorities for resorting to human rights abuses that forced the evacuation of innocent civilians.

While the council noted the sprouting of several claimants that hindered and distracted the claim of Sabah, the group supported and was solidly behind the leadership of Sultan Jamalul Kiram III as lead claimant.

http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2...urged-first-meet-sulu-sultan-reclaiming-sabah

 

[Malaya]

Sabah issue is President’s Holy Week agony
...Aquino expected to study legal brief on PH claim
By Michael Lim Ubac
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Thursday, March 28th, 2013

MANILA, Philippines—President Benigno Aquino III’s decision to stay home this Holy Week will give him ample time to agonize over the wisdom of reviving the country’s claim to Sabah.

The legal brief on the Sabah claim was submitted by Justice Secretary Leila de Lima to the Office of the President last Friday, and is now awaiting the President’s comments.

Mr. Aquino intends to stay at his official residence by the Pasig River during the Lenten break instead of vacationing in Baguio City, watching religious films, including the musical “Jesus Christ Superstar.”

But with the legal brief now on his desk, the President has to take a hard look at the recommendations of an interagency group he has ordered to “draw up a peaceful [solution] to Sabah claim.”

At a briefing in the Palace on Wednesday, presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda confirmed that the report has been placed on the President’s desk.

But he said there was “no decision yet whether to go to international courts” for action.

He could not tell reporters what recommendations the study group had, as he had not seen the paper.

De Lima said on Monday that she had firmed up a government position on the Philippine claim to Sabah and had submitted it to the President.

“It’s a confidential study and I need to get clearance from the President if that can be shared to the public,” De Lima told reporters.

She said the “main questions” were: “Is the claim strong or not and should it be pursued before an appropriate tribunal, and what are the options in light of the current situation?”

The President ordered De Lima, Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. and the Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office to study the legal and historical aspects of the Sabah claim.

He issued the directive following the incursion into Sabah by the sultan of Sulu’s followers last month, which led to a two-week standoff that eventually led to violence and the killings of dozens of Filipinos and about 10 Malaysians.

Besides the historical and legal grounds to validate the assertion of the Sulu sultanate that the Malaysian state of Sabah continues to be part of the territory of the Philippines, the report is expected to recommend the next course of action for the government such as whether to go up to an international court to settle the territorial dispute.

According to Lacierda, the Aquino administration still subscribes to a Palace memorandum that prohibits government officials from calling Sabah as part of Malaysia.

“[Memorandum Circular] 162 stands. That’s the document the DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs) currently uses,” he said.
“I don’t know why some government entities or individuals use or connect Sabah to Malaysia. Obviously, geographically, they are (connected). But we have never said Sabah, Malaysia. It’s always—we have always referred to Sabah as Sabah,” Lacierda said.

The DFA recently reminded all government agencies to stop referring to Sabah as part of Malaysia because of an existing memorandum order issued during the Arroyo regime.

The memorandum was signed on Aug. 20, 2008, by former Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita “by authority of the President,” referring to then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

It said that by virtue of Article 1 of the 1987 Constitution on national territory, the Philippines has historical and legal right over certain parts of North Borneo (Sabah).”

The memo said it was “in the national interest to safeguard the country’s historical and legal right in North Borneo (Sabah)” but stressed that the country would strive for a peaceful resolution of disputes with neighboring countries.

The memo directed that “no department, agency, or instrumentality of the Philippine Government shall make any act or statement expressing or implying, directly or indirectly, any recognition of a foreign state’s sovereignty over North Borneo (Sabah) or non-recognition of Philippine title or historical and legal rights to the same.”

It said that reference to Sabah in official documents “should not include its being part of a larger national/federal territory.”
These documents include Philippine passports, agreement, agreed minutes, joint communiqués, record of discussions, and similar documents.

Sabah issue is President