Sabah Claim: Malaysia Govt must condemn and strongly object - PH Sabah

30 September 2022

By Wartawan Nabalu News

KOTA KINABALU: Pakatan Harapan (PH) Sabah has called on the government to strongly condemn the statement made by Senator Francis Tolention that the Philippines Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) should seize the opportunity on their claim towards Sabah.

Senator Tolention made the remarks following an arbitration award that was granted to the heir of the Sulu Sultanate against the Malaysia Government.

It was also noted that Senator Tolentino said there are 750,000 Filipinos who live without health, social security benefits and are stateless in Sabah.

“We believe the numbers are higher but nevertheless a figure of 750,000 is still very significant and must be taken seriously by our Government.

“If indeed such huge presence is shown to be officially true, what are the actions of our federal government to address this matter?

“Since Senator Tolentino acknowledge that these are Filipinos and are stateless in Sabah, they are therefore illegal immigrants and should be repatriated back and that the Philippine government must be prepared and willing to accept them back,” said PH in a joint statement today.

The joint statement was signed by Pakatan Harapan Sabah Chairman Datuk Christina Liew, UPKO President Datuk Seri Panglima Wilfred Madius Tangau, DAP Sabah Chairman Datuk Frankie Poon, PKR Sabah Chairman Datuk Dr. Hj. Sangkar Rasam, AMANAH Sabah Chairman Lahirul Latigu.

PH Sabah said the statement coming from an elected representative from the Senate of the Philippines is very dangerous and for him to openly challenge the sovereignty of this nation should be regard as a threat to the security of Sabah and its people.

"It would not be exaggerating to say that this statement could incite hatred and growing resentment towards the Malaysian government and the state of Sabah due to alleged ill treatment they face here especially being denied access to health and social security benefits despite believing that the Philippines ‘owned’ Sabah?

"The continuing claim to Sabah is a reflection of continuous failure of the Malaysian government to truly understand and decide on definitive solutions to the longstanding issue of huge presence of the four categories of Filipino immigrants in the region; refugees, stateless person, illegal immigrants and those who had obtained Malaysian identification card illegally.

"We have recently seen an arbitration award made against the Malaysian government and now we have a Senator openly demanding his government to stake their claim to Sabah. How many more threats to Sabah and its people should be made so that the federal government will take serious efforts to decide on workable and concrete solution to this decade old problem?”