Between Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III and Philippine President Benigno Simeon ‘BS’ Aquino III, who do you think has more balls? At the risk of being labeled biased, I’d say Sultan Kiram has my vote. Don’t get me wrong, not that I condone what he and his followers did – trooped to Sabah, refused to leave the island state, and demanded that Malaysia hand it back to them – but sometimes, I believe a man’s gotta do what a man’s gotta do.
I would hate to be in either President BS Aquino’s or Sultan Kiram’s shoes right now. The fate of people’s lives — even Philippine sovereignty itself — is in their hands. Their decision in the next few days or weeks, whether to retreat or surrender, is bound to make international headlines and will define their legacy during their rule.
I was wrong about how most Filipinos would feel about Sabah. I thought they would get annoyed at Sultan Kiram for the audacity of his claim that Sabah belongs to his family. After all, in peacetime and with all the problems Filipinos have dealing with slow Internet connection, choosing between ordering a latte or a cappuccino among other mundane things, Filipinos need this problem like a hole in the head. However, the unofficial tally of public sentiment evident in public forums seems to lean towards saying that President BS Aquino is either a traitor or a coward on his stand on the issue.
| SUPPORT INDEPENDENT SOCIAL COMMENTARY! Subscribe to our Substack community GRP Insider to receive by email our in-depth free weekly newsletter. Opt into a paid subscription and you'll get premium insider briefs and insights from us. Subscribe to our Substack newsletter, GRP Insider! Learn more |
Some say that President BS Aquino has sold out to the Malaysians. They are very angry with him for not sticking it out with Sultan Kiram and even threatening him in public with charges of violation of Article II Section 2 and Article 118 of the Revised Penal Code of the constitution. To be exact, Sultan Kiram could be charged with provoking or giving occasion of war and exposing Filipino citizens to reprisals on their persons or property.
You can accuse Sultan Kiram of being brazen and disorganized but you cannot accuse him of being a coward. With less than 200 brave followers willing to risk their lives for their cause, he is unrepentant and unrelenting in their crusade despite the threats coming from the President himself. Well, Sultan Kiram and his followers have little to lose but a lot to gain if they succeed at claiming Sabah. For this, he deserves two thumbs-up from the growing number of Filipinos who are now supporting him.
The fact of the matter is, ignorance of history is what is causing division among Filipinos. Ignorance of history it seems is what is causing President BS Aquino to make hasty announcements that could have irreversible repercussions. He hasn’t even made a statement yet about the fact that Malaysia is actually paying lease to the heirs of Sultan Jamalul Alam, which should be enough evidence that Sabah belongs to the Philippines, but he is already telling Sultan Kiram to give up what he thinks is a “hopeless cause”.
Speaking of hopeless, there are people who also think that President BS Aquino is one hopeless case for coming across as a mumbling fool. At one point he even alleged that those who want to sabotage the recently-signed Bangsamoro framework agreement between the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the government are funding Sultan Kiram. You can trust BS Aquino to throw around baseless allegations anytime, anywhere. Without proof or anything that could be used to back his claim, he’ll just simply blame phantom enemies for his problems.
An article from the website Free Malaysia Today tables what seems to be a convincing argument about why the Philippines enjoy a legitimate claim over Sabah. Here’s an excerpt:
It was written that on Jan 23, 1878, the Ruler of Sulu, Sultan Jamalul Alam leased Sabah (formerly known as North Borneo) to Gustavus Von Overbeck for an annual rent of equivalent 5,000 dollars through Von Overbeck’s trading partner Alfred Dent. It was also recorded that this amount of money (USD1,500 per year) is still being paid to the heirs of the Sulu Sultan by the Malaysian Embassy in the Philippines until today.
The keyword in the written agreement was “Pajak†which if translated literally means “Leaseâ€. It was also explicitly written that the rights to Sabah cannot be transferred to any other nation or anyone else without the Sulu Sultan’s express consent.
The Spaniards in Manila eventually took control of the entire Sulu Sultanate; and in 1885, Great Britain, Germany, and Spain signed the Madrid Protocol confirming Spanish influence over everything in the Philippines except Sabah which belongs to the Sultanate.
Great Britain was reminded by America in official black and white in 1906 and 1920 that Sabah does not belong to Great Britain; and was and is at all material times legally and legitimately part and parcel of the Sulu Sultanate.
The British government, however as we all know, arrogantly and unilaterally did turn Sabah into a Crown-leased Colony on July 10, 1946 even though there was a declaration by Chief Justice CFC Makaskie of the High Court of North Borneo on Dec 19, 1939 in a civil suit filed by Dayang Dayang Hadji Piandao and 8 other heirs of the Sulu Sultan including Putlih Tarhata Kiram that the successor of the Sulu Sultan in the territory of Sabah was Punjungan Kiram and not Great Britain!
Earlier on in 1941 the Constitution of the Philippines states specifically that the national territory of the Philippines includes “all other areas which belong to the Philippines on the basis of historical rights or legal claims†which means that the Philippines have never relinquished their claim on Sabah.
Even before Sabah joined Malaya, Sarawak, and Singapore to form Malaysia on Sept 16, 1963, numerous delegations were sent by the Philippines to London reminding the British government that Sabah belongs to the Philippines.
On Sept 12, 1962, the territory of Sabah and the full sovereignty, title and dominion over the territory were ceded by the then reigning Sulu Ruler, Sultan Muhammad Esmail E. Kiram 1 to the Republic of the Philippines during the Presidency of Diosdado Macapagal.
The cession effectively gave the Philippines government full authority to pursue their claim in the International Court of Justice at The Hague. But until today, Malaysia continues to consistently reject the Philippines’s calls to refer the matter to the ICJ.
It would be too much to ask of President BS Aquino and his staff to go over the history of the Philippines again before making any more threats to put an end to the dispute between Malaysia and Sultan Kiram. But as far as BS Aquino and his advisers are concerned, there is no dispute at all. One can only imagine the frustration of Sultan Kiram and his followers with the lack of support coming from the top.
Sultan Kiram was even excluded from the negotiations in the Bangsamoro framework with BS Aquino admitting losing a letter from the Sulu Sultan to him in 2010 asking to be consulted on the peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front blaming “the bureaucratic maze†for the unfortunate circumstance. Maybe the letter got buried under the pile of paperwork that included the transfer of title of the President’s second hand Porsche bought in his first year in office. A mumbling President with a bumbling staff, it’s no surprise the letter got lost.
Some are saying that we should let the Sabahans decide their fate. At first I agreed with that sentiment. Unfortunately, if the land doesn’t belong to Malaysia and they choose to side with Malaysia then they have no choice but to leave Sabah. In principle it sounds simple, I know. It gets complicated when you realize the implication of what they have to do, which is to leave the place they’ve always called home. But then what about the heirs of the Ruler of Sulu in 1878, Sultan Jamalul Alam? They want to call Sabah their home too and they have the paperwork to prove it is theirs.
This is real life game of thrones. With a leader like President BS Aquino who is perceived to be weak and undeserving of his title, a number of individuals are all of a sudden emboldened to try to claim their throne. Sultan Kiram can be likened to Daenerys Targaryen in the popular HBO TV series and books, she is the only surviving child of King Aerys II Targaryen, who was ousted from the Iron Throne during King Robert’s Rebellion. Daenerys lives in exile in the East and has decided with her new found power and confidence, to lead the Dothraki people to claim the Iron Throne as her own and rule the Seven Kingdoms. Unfortunately, Sultan Kiram of Sulu, Philippines doesn’t have petrified dragon eggs to hatch. What he has is a growing number of supporters online who can possibly breathe fire into his cause.
In life, things are not always what they seem.
Sultan Kiram has my vote, and i doubt that PNoy is not even circumcised. Hahaha..
WE’VE GOT AN IDIOT PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES.
To this day the people of Sabah enjoys the fruits of Malaysia. So my question is, are they willing to be part of the Philippines? If the people say no then we can’t do nothing. There are few states in the last few years where divided because of this.
The only remedy to this situation is, Malaysia will pay the Sultan of Sulu a huge amount of money or percentage to the income from Oil and Natural resources.
I think it easier to follow on Pinoy android, call in good audit people and let Malaysia decide, kuwarta o kahon?
Money na lang.
Relative to the two countries, Sabah currently and would still benefit a mile more to Malaysia.
Thinking of it, if Sabah would be hypothetically integrated into Philippines sovereignty, how would the constitution govern the previous Malaysian state? Wouldn’t the Sabahans feel betrayed if we force down to their throats economic, cultural and welfare policies that we all know are far less effective than Malaysia’s? If we give them the right to be autonomous as Bangsamoro with their legal status quo particularly 100% FDI since we see that their economy is booming from that, this will also reveal a paradox to these anti-consti reform that the only way up is really to open to full foreign ownership.
It’s unfortunate that the Philippine government has chosen to pursue a policy of cowardice in the face of what could actually be a turning point in the pursuit of the claim on Sabah. By rights the land belongs to the Philippines.
I mean — the issue should be simple enough to understand even for those of us who don’t have a degree in International Relations. The crux of the matter is: If Malaysia is the owner of that corner of North Borneo which the constituents of the Sulu sultan insist on occupying as their ancestral home, why is Kuala Lumpur paying rent to the sultanate? The sultan’s heirs receive the equivalent of some PhP70,000.00 annually. An amount Erap Estrada might throw away on a few bottles of Johnny Walker Blue to start off his evening. Regardless of the roundabout way in which Malaysia acquired the territory, it has to be difficult for them to explain why, if it was ceded or granted, annual payments were required.
While we plain folk readily comprehend this point, Malacañang cannot seem to appreciate this ownership detail underlying the standoff. Even the America expressed its dismay at the British annexation of North Borneo. In 1947, Gov. General Francis Harrison, special adviser to the Philippine government on foreign affairs, stated that the US considered what the British government did an act of political aggression because it was done unilaterally and without special notice to the Sultanate of Sulu nor consideration of their legal rights.
It’s a sad state of affairs for Filipinos that BS Aquino has chosen fear and inaction as his response to the crisis. Then again, that isn’t anything new for this administration.
Sabah belongs to Sabahans. Not Malaysians, not Sulu, not the Philippines. Done and done.
Don’t throw a tantrum.
Disregarding the history of how Sabah came to be under the authority of the sultanate of Sulu or denial of its impact today does not make your assertion true.
What is clear is that an equitable solution needs to take into account all parties involved. That includes Malacañang, Malaysia, the heirs of the sulatanate and the people of Sabah. And that should be overseen by an unbiased mediator acceptable to all. Not from Malaysia or the Aquino administration; we nearly went to war over this once before. Not the sultanate of Sulu; with thousands of heirs claiming the sultanate (including Nur Misuari’s wife), they do not have a unified stand.
Sabah belonged to the Sultanate of Sulu, not the Philippines. The Sultanate of Sulu officially became a Spanish protectorate in 1878 with the Jolo treaty. Therefore the Sultanate of Sulu was no longer an international political entity and could not make any territorial claims. In 1885, Spain signed the Madrid protocol with England and gave up any claims on North Borneo.
On top of that, I don’t think Sabahans want to be a part of the Philippines.
At this moment if the Sultan continues at his present move, he will have his Tirad Pass; nevertheless, a brave stand. For BS Aquino, the usual cheep talk, subvert the laws use or complain to UN as before results to nothing; there is also, “It’s not Noynoyisita.” Da Prod Penoy has no gravitas other than the “Yaya-bang!” To Da Penoys en de lan op mek bilib, You Can Not Lay A Claim To What You Can Not Defend. At best, remove the garapata on your numbnuts maybe then you live.
Who said Dear President BS Aquino got cojones in the first place? AFAIK, he lost his marbles a long time ago. Ilda, you have done a great disservice to the Sultan by comparing him with Dear President in terms of manly possession. Expect Herr De Lima to file a case against you soon.
PNOY- incompetent president with incompetent advisers.
Kiram is the true hero unlike those fake sports and political personalities that infects majority of airtime the yellow media promotes.
I have to repost this from a related article of benign0’s.
the solution is simple guys: ASK THE SABAHANS THEMSELVES. Although the issue is about the legitimacy of Sabah, many Filipinos are actually forgetting that Sabah is not some piece of land to be taken away but is already settled by many ethno-cultural identities. I’ve been there actually, it’s a multi-cultural place where you find Chinese, Malay, Kadazan-Dusun, Orang Laut, Murut, Melanau and many others. Ask each cultural community if they want the Tausug settlers to rule each and every one of them. I doubt they will say “YESâ€. Our Tausug brethren are just “panggulo†in their place so it follows they don’t want a “panggulo†to become a “panguloâ€.
Sabi ko na nga ba sakit sa ulo talaga mga Tausug na iyan. I guess it’s time to let them go and deport all Visayan-speaking Christians in the Sulu Archipelago (Sulu, Basilan, Tawi-tawi) back to the Visayas, or even to the squatters in Manila (lol, just kidding!).
As an Ilocano, I find it funny when a Tausug dilemma is considered as a “national†dilemma! Huwag mo kaming idamay sa norte, mga pre! Okay na kami dito. Pabayaan na lang ang mga Tausug na iyan!
agree, tausugs are dividing the nation
Lies. This nation is divided for a long time, not because of the Tausugs. It was never united back then, until now.
Mindanao could give two rats a$$es and held their own well. And it still happens to this very day, with the same people sitting in the imperial city of Manila who think everywhere in the Philippines should be like what Manila is.
Set your priorities for once. You’re disillusioned.
@eduardo
You should realize by now that your propaganda hasn’t been working for you since day one.
@Benign0
I suggest you delete eduardo’s comments since he is only spouting propaganda(a very ineffective one I might add)
If Sabahans would answer the following:
*We are still part of Malaysia
– then, forget about Sabah.
*We don’t want to be part of Malaysia, which is either…
*…therefore, we want a Sabah Republic!
– then again, forget about Sabah.
or
*…therefore, we want to be a part of Sulu Sultanate!
– then, it’s best for the Philippines to let go of Sulu, Basilan and Tawi-tawi, and Malaysia to release Sabah, and these territories to join forces to become another Southeast Asian country.
or
*…therefore, we want to be a part of the Philippines!
– then, jackpot! Sabah is ours! Our politicians will have more money in their pockets, while the pristine rainforests and its inhabitants (the orangutans especially) will be grazed to the ground for a palm oil gold rush! Our politicians will do it in no time.
So there you go guys. Think about it. I have to say the last two options WILL NEVER HAPPEN in the future.
Sabah belongs to SABAHANS! Not to Sulu Sultanate! Not to the Philippines! Let them decide! Practice democracy, dapat PATAS!
And this is coming from a Filipino citizen like me! I am against basta-basta foreign incursion, as much as I am against China claiming Palawan. WE ARE DOING THE SAME THING WE HATE CHINA IS DOING RIGHT NOW. Sorry if I am shouting like a deranged activist but I have to make a point and slap all of you here.
great explanation…
As much as I would like to side with the points given out by this article, we have forgotten ONE historical event.
As to what was raised by blogger Anne de Bretagne: http://defenders-philippine-sovereignty.blogspot.com/2013/02/malaysias-continuing-annexation-of.html
“Sabah which was a separate entity that was under direct British colonial control received independence from their British colonialists on 31st August 1963 and for FIFTEEN DAYS was technically truly INDEPENDENT. However on 16 September 1963, it was annexed by Malaysia.”
This could mean that even the annexation of Sabah to PH would also be questionable since the feudal historic title has since been replaced and muddled over when the Sabah people exercised their independence in 1963.
This means that the Sabah people themselves may have the final say in this issue after all.
Sultan Kiram must be jailed!
eduardo must be jailed!
agree and cut his balls as well!
your boss tricky calamityagainang is resigning.
as usual he is the last to know
even he has had enough of the malacanan lies
Your boss has resigned. I suggest you do the same since your cause is a hopeless cause.
Kiram clan said to be expecting, preparing, for possible arrest of Sultan Jamalul Kiram in Taguig in wake of Sabah affair.
-go PNoy! Dapat mapayapa na negosyasyon ang mga claim na ganyan sa ibang bansa at wag gagamit ng dahas.
Well, I’ll keep my fingers crossed on this. 😛
Enjoy your possible blunder.
sabah is very nice.
great scuba diving
wonderful walking
nice restaurants.
civilised.
lets keep it that way.
Sultan Jamalul should fly the Sulu Sultanate flag, not the Philippine Flag, into Sabah. Many of us here don’t really care about owning Sabah. It’s only the Tausugs.
I don’t if my theory is true but I am getting the hunch that taking Sabah from Malaysia is the first step in establishing an independent Sulu state. You guys can disprove me though, it’s okay.
if Sabahans chooses to be Malaysians then they have to be uprooted somewhere in Malaysia, but did that happen when Spain mastered over us in the 14th century. there may be resistance in the first instance as ethnic groups adjusts to the new leadership or authority. much scenario are evident to unfold as we immagine things. but lets cross the bridge when we get there…
There is much evidence they did not chose to be part of Malaysia. Filipinos should realize Malaysia’s illegal annexation of Sabah doesn’t have to mean a GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY for Sulu Sultanate or the Philippines to solidify it’s claim on the territory. Sabah is not like the Spratly islands where there are no established communities prior to the modern era. In other words, if Sabah’s legitimacy to Malaysia is shady, Filipinos should NOT MAKE SAWSAW ON THE ISYU NA! Huwag na natin dagdagan ang sakit sa ulo ng mga Sabahan. Kung problema ang Kuala Lumpur based government, let’s not be problem no. #2? OKAY GUYS! LET THIS ISSUE REST IN PEACE.
In a 1962 plebiscite, the people of Sabah wanted to be part of Malaysia.
you should read the link by az_121490. I have tor repost it to you. http://defenders-philippine-sovereignty.blogspot.com/2013/02/malaysias-continuing-annexation-of.html
Reference to your question about who has balls, Sultan Kiram has my vote. But If your question, who like “balls†hmmmm (ïŠ) definitely I’ll go with Aquino, sorry guys!
Mr. Aquino just wanted to be consistent about their stand since the beginning from his father’s father and that’s being a traitor! They never love the Philippines and its people. And I don’t know why, our society, love his sister she’s so much I found her very annoying and cacophony.
Salute to all tausug, they are the true blooded Pilipino who fight for our freedom and preserve our cultures and traditions.
“What is clear is that a peaceful resolution of this issue is to everybody’s interest. Even if we assume, for the sake of argument, that there are legitimate grievances, the presence of an armed group in Lahad Datu will only bring us further away from resolving these issues.
“The avenue of peaceful and open dialogue is still available to us. Let us therefore sit down as
brothers to address your grievances in a peaceful, calm manner according to our laws and according to
correct processes when
your people arrive home,”.
Now I understand why Tita Cory wanted a bloodless revolution :’)
attribute a quote!!
which naive idiot said that
sounds like they have no historical or cultural understanding
Oh, please tell it to the marines. And your tita Cory’s legacy is not for the Pilipino but for the interest of USA and traitors cross-breed Pilipino (i.e. CHINESE-FILIPINO AND SPANISH-FILIPINO)
And bloodless revolution you’re talking about, well, salute to President Marcos! and about your peaceful revolution you’re talking about is there 6 feet below the ground (HACIENDA LUISITA MASSACRE)
How can you say that your tita cory wanted a bloodless revolution if she was hiding like a COWARD in cebu? Marcos never gave the signal to fire on the civilians that were on edsa. You better get your knowledge of history corrected you dumb fool.
P.S
Your tita cory ordered the army to fire on the ones that were in the mendiola massacre. You are such a moron you know that?
It’s a bloodless revolution that brought up an age of MEDIOCRITY.
Congratulations. You’re a TOTAL MORON. 🙂
Wow, this eduardo posts a lot, doesn’t he?
Humahabol siguro sa quota since nagresign na ang boss niya or wala lang siyang magawa sa buhay niya kundi mangtroll at mang protekta ng presidenteng palpak na katulad niya.
stop saying “freedom” when you are supporting the tausugs’ attempt of taking away the Sabahan people’s freedom to choose! Duh!
duh! If not for the tausug bravery and balls, sabahas peoples you’re talking about will not be there in the first place!
are you an idiot? you better research about sabah’s demographics, and the historical relationships between the indigenous people of Sabah and the Tausug invaders, and tell me if it’s part of the Tausug homeland, as much as northwestern Luzon is Ilocano homeland.
Besides, what “tausug bravery and balls” are you talking about? Oh, you mean brash machismo? we all know “troublemaker” genes has and will always be part of Tausug genetic makeup so would you stop praising them for their “panggulo” abilities?
If I’m idiot well stop talking to me! stupid!
If it becomes part of Sulu then it will become part of the Philippines? When the Philippines itself is already horribly mismanaged in a lot of things and yet we still want to add another liability?
Wow, I say let the Sabahans decide for themselves, regardless of any historical or ancient fossilized claims. They were independent for about 15 days before Malaysia annexed Sabah, if given the choice I believe the people of Sabah would rather be independent than be part of another country that they don’t identify with.
Funny thing about this is, why do it now? I feel like they are only making this a big issue because they just don’t have anything better to talk about.
I have a few friends in Sabah, when asked with this question they say, they’d prefer to be part of Malaysia rather than the Philippines, because they are aware of the politics, religious and ethnic issues that plague our country. Sabah has problems of its own and can take care of itself with or without Malaysia, but even so, choosing to be part of Malaysia would be the lesser evil as they say.
And here comes the troll from his vacation courtesy of his supreme leader, so Eduardo how’s your holiday? Do you still have hang over from your party in the middle of the busiest road on the country. Hahaha…
I heard your Boss resigned, whos gonna pay for your internet time? I quite sure that the owner of the shop is now telling you “Time ka na! Extend ka pa ba?”
Hello guys!
All of you have valid points. Well, I guess except for one. It is hard to disagree with what you have said. Some are passionate about claiming Sabah back while some are equally passionate about leaving the Sabahans alone. I personally think that the Sultan of Sulu and the Philippine government should be compensated even if Malaysia doesn’t give Sabah back. I think it is the best solution for peace and prosperity.
Maybe a higher annual compensation than what Malaysia already gives us, perhaps?
I’m personally too confused about this issue to actually give my say on what should be done with Sabah (the issue for me is too complex, what with too many cultural, geographical and political factors to deal with). It’s just sad to think that what once was one of the most powerful sultanates of Southeast Asia (if not THE most powerful) has been relegated to the backwaters of petty land disputes.
@MidwayHaven
Well apparently, the Philippine government or it could be just PNoy, wasn’t even aware of the rental fee Malaysia has been giving the Sultan’s heirs. So technically, I think the huge compensation pay out should be given to the Sultan considering the government doesn’t even want to help him with the claim.
Can you enlighten me why a “sultan” still exists? Because from what I know, the Sultanate of Sulu was already obselete, already divided into the provinces of Sulu, Basilan, Tawi-Tawi, Palawan and Zamboanga del Sur. I’m still wondering why we are still acknowledging the existence of a “sultan” if there is no sultanate-type of government within the Philippines. Example, Indonesia has one sultanate which is Yogyakarta which is a special status province. If Sulu would be in similar situation, then I guess it’s valid to accept the existence of a “sultan”.
Sorry if this is off-topic. It’s kind of bothering me.
The title exists by virtue of the continued “rent” payments still being paid by the Malaysian government to him. Those payments are de facto recognition of an entitlement defined by the persisting notion of said sultanate.
@Migs
Where is it written that the Sultanate of Sulu is already obsolete? Even mainstream media refer to Kiram as the Sultan of Sulu. I know he is not the only sultan in the Philippines. They still exist because they never recognised the Spanish rule. They’ve never converted to Christianity. Their title gives them authority over their followers. They existed even before the Philippine islands were lumped into one nation.
Yeah but the payment of rent only indicates that the heirs of the Sultanate own the ‘land’ of Sabah. It does not indicate that they are the chosen political leaders of the people of Sabah especially since the Sultanate of Sulu ceased to exist as an international political entity after 1878 when it became a Spanish protectorate. Spain later in the Madrid protocol of 1885 relinquished any territorial claim to North Borneo to the British.
I am fine with increasing the rental fee that Malaysia is paying the Sultanate’s heirs as the last time it was increased was in the 1930s. But considering that Sabah belongs to the Sultan’s heirs or to the Philippines due to the annual rent being paid is like assuming that because you live in an apartment and pay rent to a landlord that he has a right to govern you and tell you what to do. The rent itself should not indicate a right to the political control of Sabah. That itself should be subject to the will of the Sabahan people.
@Migs
Why the title of Datus and Sultans is still recognised in Ph: From MLQIII’s timeline of Sabah
September 20, 1937
Memorandum on Administration of Affairs in Mindanao of President Quezon to Secretary Quirino: Titles of Datus and Sultans are recognized but have no Official Rights and Powers.
Further proof that we have right to claim Sabah: Former Malaysian Prime Minister suggested that Malaysia pay the Philippines to settle the issue once and for all:
Former Chief Minister Tan Sri Harris Salleh has proposed that the Malaysian Government permanently settle the long-standing issue raised by the Sultan of Sulu by way of a lump-sum compensation payment of RM200 million.
“I appeal to the Federal Government to consider settling once and for all the issue of the claim and the yearly payment to the Sultan of Sulu,” he said in a statement, here, Wednesday.
He said the suggested amount of RM200 million was merely equivalent to the monthly expenses for the armed forces to control Sabah’s coastline.
Towards this end, Harris said he had written to Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishamuddin Tun Hussein that RM50 million is to be allocated from the RM200 million direct to the Sulu Sultan’s descendants while the balance for the development of a Felda-style settlement scheme in Mindanao.
“This will benefit both the heirs of the sultan as well as the people of Mindanao,” he said, adding that the Malaysian Government should deal directly with the Sultan of Sulu rather than talking to leaders of the intruders at Lahad Datu.
He said any confrontation of arms would definitely cause casualties on both sides. “It can be expected that Malaysian security forces will come out with flying colours. But the scars will remain forever, just like other countries such as Northern Ireland, Spain and many others.
“These unsatisfied issues will remain and crop up from time to time.
Therefore, it is in our interest, in particular Sabah, to have friendly neighbours,” he said.
Harris said Malaysia must acknowledge that no matter what, it was impossible to control every part or metre of Sabah over a 1,000km coastline right from Tawau to Kota Kinabalu.
“Thus, it is important these issues be settled amicably once for all and be friends among the Malay stock countries.
Everything will then be running smoothly in the Asean countries to move forward to become a developed Asia.
China has already led the way.
“The issue on who and who are Sabahans or for that matter Malaysian, does not arise anymore.
All those citizenship with legally issued Identity Card are a fait accompli issue.
“Surely it is not the intention to trace the original Sabahans, who are reportedly only the descendants of Murut and Rungus.
The rest – the Malays, the Chinese, the Indians and others – were descendants of immigrants a few hundred years ago,” he said.
People are free to go anywhere they like since it is expected that in the next 50 to 100 years from now there would be no more borders among the countries.
2.6 billion pesos for the potential annexation of Sabah to the Philippines? That’s less than 1% of the net worth of riches amassed by Henry Sy and his family, haha.
Cheap, isn’t it? I think we are in a position to ask more. PNoy doesn’t even want to take advantage of the opportunity. If Kiram fails in his bid this time, I think that could spell the end for this claim.
The sultanate has, over the last two decades, asked for an increase in the rent. In 1996, Princess Denchurai Kiram, daughter of Princess Tarhata Kiram and administrator of the heirs’ estate, wrote then Prime Minister Mahathir to raise the rental to US$1,000,000. She also stated that she and the other heirs were willing to renounce the claim if Kuala Lumpur will provide a fair settlement. The letter was ignored by Mr. Mahathir. In June 2010, the Sulu provincial board passed a resolution supporting the demand of the heirs to increase the yearly payment to at least US$500 million. Esmail Kiram II, the brother of Jamalul III, also wrote Mr. Mahathir, this time through President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. Princess Denchurain’s daughter, Princess Tajmahal, was a co-signatory. According to reports, their demand was for US$855 million.
The ideal solution will have to involve some monetary settlement. If only to acknowledge the fact that the territory was acquired through political aggression that directly benefited Malaysia. The gas and petroleum fields off Sabah and Sarawak contribute up to 60 percent of Malaysia’s economy. And the society and culture of Sabah have evolved away from Sulu and the Philippines. The area has a progressive economy as part of the Sabah Development Corridor. There several colleges and universities and a highly developed cultural scene. The inhabitants (regardless of ethnicity) have as much right to self determination as the sultanate has claim to the territory. That being said, the heirs are entitled to some compensation for having their land stolen by the British and Malaysia. In the end the best solution is to raise the annual rent to an equitable level that reflects today’s standards.
You guys seem to think that Jamalul Kiram is a legitimate Sultan of Sulu. He is not. There are others with stronger claims. He is not even a proper Kiram.
Jamalul is not looking to claim Sabah for the Philippines. He is looking to claim Sabah for himself as an independent Sultanate of Sulu. Not part of Malaysia, nor Philippines. He is looking out for No.1, himself.
We should not entertain such jokers. Absolute monarchies? Not in the 21st century – where the will of the people is paramount.
Let the people of Sabah decide what they want.
He wrote a letter to PNoy and the administration did not refute his claim as the Sultan of Sulu. Where’s your proof that he is not a Kiram and a legitimate Sultan of Sulu?
That’s not going to happen if the Philippine government help him pursue his claim over Sabah. It will belong to the Philippine government, to the Filipino people. As what is stated in the article:
“On Sept 12, 1962, the territory of Sabah and the full sovereignty, title and dominion over the territory were ceded by the then reigning Sulu Ruler, Sultan Muhammad Esmail E. Kiram 1 to the Republic of the Philippines during the Presidency of Diosdado Macapagal.
The cession effectively gave the Philippines government full authority to pursue their claim in the International Court of Justice at The Hague.
Do you think Sabah will be part of Philipines if it’s under Sulu sultanate ? Kiram declare independent on 2010 and perhaps they would rather join their muslim federation brotherhood in malaysia. get real
The compensation payment could be used to increase the military strength of the Royal Army then.
Aquino, despite his human faults, has been democratically elected as President. We neither need nor want a hereditary Sultan. Long live Repúblika ng Pilipinás!
No Royal Army can stop an idea whose time has come, i.e. feudalism should give way to modernism, monarchy should give way to democracy, and militancy should give way to peace. The tide of time will drown the Sultan and his Royal Army.
Its kinda late to comment here… but before i start commenting about this so called issue…. try to understand the actual proof so called rent by the Kiram… dude, for us people in Sabah (Sabahan) we don’t think that the agreement itself is a concern for us, because it is made by those people who proclaim themselves as an authorities of Sabah during that time. But well if you still want to talk about the document, for us it doesn’t look like a rent instead it is about cession (which none of us totally care of it), try to understand fully on the document itself…
Sabah is home to many indigenous group, from our previous ancestors, we never bow to your so called previous Sultan same goes to sultan Brunei, because never for us to have a sultan. Why I dare to state it because firstly, this claim is made by some Christopher Columbus minded people, who think by stating “I am here 1st then I am the bossâ€, by far, Sabah which already has a lot of people making this place as their home… If yes they are the actual owner of the land, what they had been done to their so called people? Why the Sabahan don’t even think they had any ruler during that period of time???…
Sabah had a very barbaric indigenous group during that time, If so called Tausug is a warrior then why that they aren’t able to take control each of the tribes; well it is a simple answer, because each tribe in Sabah was a warrior itself. It was a bloody time, where people from different village will wage war from other village just for wrongly herding the buffalo. Funny isn’t it… Well the thought of having a ruler come only after the British came, why we think the British were the 1st one ruling us? Well they were the one who introduce a system to the people in Sabah to not to fight with the help of the tribe’s elder (it is kinda complex to explain but try to look for it), plus we got free education. Of course we pay the price of it, but well we live in peace.
We are simple people, we live in/for peace which has been thought by our ancestors, and educating ourselves. But if things get harsher just by those idiot retard people claiming shit on our homeland well we don’t ever mind to change our old self back. If so called SOME idiot Tausug have a warrior bloodline, guess what, we have it too.