KUALA LUMPUR, May 27 ― Malaysia will not recognise claims by outside parties on Sabah, Wisma Putra said today after incoming Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte reportedly claimed the state was part of Sulu territory.
“The government of Malaysia reiterates its position that Malaysia does not recognise and will not entertain any claims by any party on Sabah.
“Sabah is recognised by the United Nations and the international community as part of Malaysia since the formation of the Federation on 16 September 1963,” said the Foreign Ministry in a brief statement.
Wisma Putra has repeatedly rejected the claims made by the neighbouring country and earlier this year, had called in a Philippine envoy over the claim made by another presidential candidate, Vice President Jejomar Binay.
Binay had reportedly vowed to pursue a territorial claim over Sabah if elected president.
Yesterday, several Philippine dailies reported Duterte telling a news conference in Davao City that his administration recognises Sabah as Sulu sultanate territory that is being claimed by the Kiram clan behind the 2013 Lahad Datu invasion.
Sabah was formerly called North Borneo by the colonial British. Together with Sarawak, Singapore and Malaya, it formed the federation of Malaysia in 1963, and to which it remains a member today.
