KOTA KINABALU, May 5 — Several engagement sessions organised by the government pertaining to the claims made by the so-called Sulu heirs were aimed at explaining the issues and current status of the claims to the people.
Director-General of the Legal Affairs Division (BHEUU) of the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Khairul Dzaimee Daud said this includes the session held today with state assemblymen, leaders and senior federal and state officers in Sabah.
He said the session also gave the opportunity to Sabah leaders and the people to provide inputs and suggestions to support and strengthen the actions that Malaysia had and would take against the claimants and their financiers.
“Those who attended the session were also informed of the actions that have been, are being and will be taken by the federal government to protect Malaysia’s sovereignty and security.
“The government will continue safeguarding the country’s sovereignty and security from any threat either in the form of armed attacks, or legal and commercial actions,” Khairul Dzaimee said during the engagement session.
Also present were Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Datuk Ewon Benedick; former Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Yong Teck Lee; and former Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia.
Khairul Dzaimee said today’s session followed the meeting between Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said and Sabah assemblymen on March 1.
“Those present were also informed that other than legal actions taken by international lawyers appointed by the government, actions through public relations and media communications are also being done involving the Ministry of Communications and Digital, Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) and government-appointed international public relations firm,” he said.
Khairul Dzaimee added that explanations are being given to the public, especially in Sabah, because they were the most impacted by the Lahad Datu intrusion incident masterminded by the supporters of the claimants.
Meanwhile, in a statement released during the session, he said an International Arbitration Colloquium 2023: National Sovereignty and Immunity in Commercial Arbitration will be jointly organised by the Universiti Malaya (UM) Asian International Arbitration Centre (AIAC) and BHEUU on May 9.
“It is to provide a more detailed clarification on the matter. The colloquium will focus on, among others, the impact of the convention to recognise and enforce the international arbitration (New York convention) award and the country’s immunity,” Khairul Dzaimee said.
A similar colloquium is also being planned to be held in Sabah and other countries, including the United Kingdom.
— Bernama
