Foreign claim on Sabah a non-issue: Najib
LAHAD DATU (Malaysia) — Malaysia’s Prime Minister Najib Razak has pointed out that the claim on Sabah by any quarters is a non-issue because the state had gained independence in Malaysia as had been decided in 1963.
Mount Kinabalu, in the Malaysian state of Sabah. Photo: Jason Quah/TODAY
LAHAD DATU (Malaysia) — Malaysia’s Prime Minister Najib Razak has pointed out that the claim on Sabah by any quarters is a non-issue because the state had gained independence in Malaysia as had been decided in 1963.
He said the status of Sabah was decided by the Cobbold Commission that was recognised by the United Nations (UN).
Thus, he said, no one could dispute the status of the state in terms of international law.
“As such, I consider this (claim on Sabah) as a non-issue and I wish to state that we will continue to defend Sabah as the state had gained independence in Malaysia.
“The people of Sabah have already stated their aspiration to be together with Malaysia and this was also stated by Musa Aman as the Chief Minister,” he said on Saturday (May 28).
His comments came after the Philippines’ incoming President Rodrigo Duterte asserted on Thursday that his administration would stake a fresh claim on the state.
Mr Najib issued a warning to all quarters against doing anything that could affect the sovereignty of Sabah and Malaysia.
He emphasised that various initiatives had been taken by the government to defend Sabah and these demonstrated the government’s strong commitment in ensuring, preserving and giving meaning to Sabah as an independent state within Malaysia.
He said the government would continue to defend every inch of the state to ensure that the people of Sabah could live in peace and in safety at all times.
Mr Najib added that if everyone were united and played their role in defending the Sabah soil together with the government, this would ensure that the state continued to be safe.
“The people must be loyal to the government, to the state of Sabah and to Malaysia...do not ever become stooges for the country’s enemy,” he said.
“We also want the tourism industry to continue to progress in Sabah and it is most important in the government’s endeavour which involves considerable expenditure, the people must also play a role,” said the prime minister. BERNAMA
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