Malaysia to summon Sulu claimants after alleged attempt to seize embassy in France

9 March 2023

By Wartawan Nabalu News

KUALA LUMPUR: Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Azalina Othman has clarified reports of a supposed seizure of the Embassy of Malaysia in France.

In a press statement released Wednesday, Azalina addressed recent media headlines surrounding the incident, which took place on the morning March 6.

"Contrary to reports, there was no attempt to seize the properties of the Embassy of Malaysia in France," she said.

"Individuals presenting themselves as bailiffs approached the embassy and staff residence to survey the premises, but our diplomatic staff refused access and turned them away. The bailiffs subsequently left, and the incident was not an attempt to seize the properties."

The Minister explained that the bailiffs were allegedly instructed by the Sulu Claimants to obtain a description of the properties based on the statutory mortgage registered on the premises in November 2022.

The Sulu Claimants reportedly obtained an authorisation order from the Paris Court of First Instance, citing a Partial Award dated May 2020 and an Exequatur Order dated Sept 2021. However, the government of Malaysia is challenging these orders in various proceedings in France and other jurisdictions.

"Malaysia intends to summon the Sulu claimants to appear before the court which granted the authorization order to obtain the cancellation of the registration of the mortgage.

"The statutory mortgage is not an enforcement measure per se," said Azalina.

The Minister also emphasised that the premises of any diplomatic mission are inviolable and immune from search, requisition, attachment, or requisition, as stipulated by the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.

"Malaysia does not recognize the purported commercial arbitration instituted by the Sulu Claimants and will continue to vigorously defend its sovereignty through appropriate legal forums.

"Our embassy in France is an important representation of Malaysia's interests, and we will continue to protect it from any attempts to compromise its security or sovereignty. We will take all necessary legal actions to defend our rights and interests," Azalina stressed.