Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim today rejected claims made by his one-time acquaintance Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) leader Nur Misuari, that it is Malaysia that has no claim over Sabah and Sarawak and is occupying the territory which the Moro separatist has repeatedly claimed, rightfully belonged to his clan.
“On Nur Misuari’s (claims), our views are of course, not the same. Every inch of Sabah is Malaysian soil,” stressed Anwar at a press conference in Kuala Lumpur today.
“We reject the Philippine claim, and the claim of the (self-styled) Sulu sultan (Jamalul Kiram III) and his family.”
NONENur Misuari, in an interview with international broadcaster Al-Jazeera published today – amongst other comments regarding the Lahad Datu crisis – had claimed that it was Kuala Lumpur that is occupying Sabah and Sarawak.
PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang (right), who was also at the press conference, said that part of the problem is the inconsistency of the BN government which continues to pay the cessation fee to the Sulu sultanate claimants.
“Why do we still pay the cessation fee? Why pay to a sultan without sovereign power?” asked Hadi.
He argued that Malaysia’s formation and the inclusion of Sabah and Sarawak happened under the auspices of the United Nations and a referendum that the world body conducted.
The Philippines, he said, is a member of the UN and should abide by the world body’s decision and recognition of Malaysia’s sovereignty.
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