LAHAD DATU (THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - Purported plans by certain groups to reclaim Sabah through the defunct Sulu Sultanate are a non-issue as the state is recognised internationally as part of Malaysia, said Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak on Saturday (May 28).
"It is a non-issue," Datuk Seri Najib said when asked about the statement by Philippines president elect Rodrigo Durterte of his plans to pursue the Sabah claim for the heirs of the sultanate, The Star reported.
Mr Najib said Sabah's independence through Malaysia came as a result of the Cobbold Commission's findings and the state has been internationally recognised as a part of the country by the United Nations since 1963.
"As such no groups can make any claim on Sabah. We will defend every inch of Sabah's sovereignty," he said after a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Forward Helicopter Base at the Lahad Datu airport here on Saturday.
He added that Chief Minister Datuk Musa Aman has made the state's stand clear on the issue.
On Friday, Musa said that Sabah was with Malaysia and had chosen to be with it.
"We will continue to be part of this sovereign nation," Mr Musa said, adding that Sabah had never recognised any claims over it by the Philippines or any quarters within the state.
