Sulu heir declared terrorist by Malaysia

11 April 2023

By Wartawan Nabalu News

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian government has classified Fuad A Kiram, one of the self-proclaimed heirs of the Sulu sultanate, as a terrorist for his link to a militant group that invaded Lahad Datu in 2013.

Director-general of the Prime Minister’s Department’s legal affairs division, Khairul Dzaimee Daud, said Fuad is associated with the Royal Sulu Force (RSF), an entity that has been designated as a terrorist under Section 66B of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorist Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities (AMLATFPUAA) Act 2001 effective April 6.

The RSF was involved in a standoff with Malaysian security forces in Lahad Datu, Sabah, in February 2013, claiming that the territory belonged to the Sulu sultanate.

Fuad is also one of the eight claimants who secured a disputed arbitration award against Malaysia last year, demanding US$14.92 billion (RM62.59 billion) for the alleged lease of Sabah to the British North Borneo Company in 1878.

Khairul stated that a new approach would be taken by the unity government in dealing with the Sulu heir’s claim.

He said the previous approach was to appeal against decisions by foreign courts and seek to set aside the awards granted, but under the new leadership, the approach had been changed to an “offensive” mode.

Khairul also said the Cabinet had agreed to appoint a UK-based public relations firm to manage the global narrative and media strategy regarding the case, and that Wisma Putra had sent a diplomatic note to 171 countries where the award was enforceable under the New York Convention.

He added that the home minister would also visit France, Spain, Luxembourg and Netherlands, the four countries involved in the arbitration of the case, to explain to his counterparts the issues and facts surrounding the claim.

Khairul noted that the legal affairs division would also engage with stakeholders in Sabah on the case.