Sabah Sovereignty Non-Negotiable, Malaysian Senator Warns

1 April 2026

KOTA KINABALU: The recent remarks by a senator from the Philippines who called for the revival of territorial claims over Sabah is provocative and irresponsible.

Senator Anna Bell Suzieanah Perian, Information Chief the Women’s Wing of Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (PGRS) said the suggestion to revisit the claim was “irresponsible” and undermined regional diplomatic relations.

She stressed that Sabah’s status as part of Malaysia is “final” and firmly grounded in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).

According to her, the formation of Malaysia was not only agreed upon by the relevant governments but also endorsed by the people of Sabah through the findings of the Cobbold Commission in 1962, which reported strong local support for joining the federation.

She added that the principle of self-determination, as recognised under the United Nations Charter, had been fully observed, making any attempt to dispute Sabah’s status inconsistent with international law.

The senator further noted that various international legal proceedings and arbitration decisions have found claims linked to the historical Sultanate of Sulu to be without merit.

She said such claims are based on outdated agreements that no longer hold legal standing in the modern context of sovereignty.

Highlighting international recognition, she pointed out that Malaysia has been acknowledged as a sovereign state since 1963, including its membership in the United Nations.

The presence of foreign consulates in Sabah and ongoing diplomatic and trade relations were cited as further evidence that the territory is widely recognised as part of Malaysia.

She warned that any attempt to revive the claim would violate key principles of international law, including territorial sovereignty and non-interference, and could jeopardise regional stability and relations among ASEAN member states.

The statement also suggested that the renewed narrative may be driven by economic interests, particularly Sabah’s oil and gas resources. She described such motivations as “shallow and irresponsible”, emphasising that Sabah’s natural resources belong solely to its people and are protected under Malaysian law.

Calling for unity, she urged Sabahans to remain resolute in defending the state’s sovereignty, adding that any claims over Sabah must be firmly rejected.

“Sabah belongs to Malaysia, past, present, and forever,” she said.