The Paris Court’s annulment of a $14.9 billion Sulu claim is a legal affirmation of Malaysia’s sovereignty, ending misuse of arbitration
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s legal victories against claims by purported heirs of the Sulu Sultanate represent a clear affirmation of national sovereignty.
Bar Council president Datuk Mohamad Ezri Abdul Wahab said the Paris Court of Appeal’s decision to annul the ‘final award’ provides crucial legal clarity.
“The Bar Council recognises the government’s and the national legal team’s sustained efforts in defending Malaysia’s sovereignty through the proper judicial channels,” he said.
The court fully annulled the award issued by arbitrator Gonzalo Stampa on February 28, 2022, which had awarded US$14.9 billion to the claimants.
It also ordered the claimants to pay €200,000 in costs to Malaysia.
The court found Stampa had no jurisdiction to issue the award as there was no valid arbitration agreement binding Malaysia.
Former Bar Council president Salim Bashir said the judgment is a legal acknowledgment of Malaysia’s sovereignty and independence.
“This victory shows that Malaysia and its national assets are now legally free from any external interference by the Sulu parties,” he said.
The ruling was based on grounds including the absence of a binding arbitration agreement, which invalidated the arbitrator’s jurisdiction.
Malaysia has secured significant wins in courts in Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and Spain in the protracted dispute.
The MADANI Government has been actively pursuing counterclaims against the Sulu group.
Eight Philippine nationals initiated arbitration in Spain seeking billions in compensation from Malaysia over Sabah.
A Madrid court appointed Stampa as arbitrator in March 2019 before he later issued the ‘Final Award’. – Bernama
