Sulu Sultanate debunks Datu Khidar Kiram ll’s drop of Sabah claim

From the Daily Tribune (Oct 1): Sulu Sultanate debunks Datu Khidar Kiram ll’s drop of Sabah claim

The Sultanate of Sulu yesterday debunked pronouncement by a self-proclaimed “Crown Prince” of Sulu that the sultanate is dropping Sabah claim, pointing to Malaysia as probable “brains” behind the move.

Abraham Idjirani, secretary general and spokesman of the Sultanate of Sulu, said that the statement attributed to Datu Khudar S. J. Kiram II, 59, who claims to be a direct descendant from a second son of Sultan Jamalul Alam or Sultan Jamalul Kiram II, is contrary to a royal decree.

“The pursuit to Sabah claim is contained in the royal decree issued by the late Sultan Esmail Kiram II and will be pursued by Sultan Phugdalun Kiram II, the 35th Sultan of Sulu and North Borneo,” Idjirani told The Daily Tribune.

An article from Malaysian daily Free Malaysia Today said Datu Khudar told Malaysian media that he will call for a press conference in Manila next week and announce the dropping of the Sabah claim.

“The Philippine government will no longer have the right to interfere in the affairs of the Sulu Sultanate,” Datu Khudar was quoted as saying.

Another Malaysia newspaper Daily Express said Datu Khudar claimed that his plan is supported by one of the Philippines’ presidential candidates “who goes by the name of ‘Maruas.’”

But Idjirani was quick to point an accusing finger to some Malaysian government officials as behind Datu Khudar’s move.

“The purpose is to create controversy and confusion to the minds of the Filipino people and in violation of the decision promulgated in 1939 by the British high court recognizing the nine principal heirs, led by the late Sultan Punjungan Kiram, the 32nd sultan of Sulu and North Borneo and father of the late Jamalul Kiram III and Sultan Esmail Kiram II,” said Idjirani.

“The action could be attributed to some government officials of Malaysia wishing to distort the legality and historical claims of the Sultanate over Sabah which is now being pursued by the newly-installed Sultan Phugdalun Kiram II, the 35th Sultan of Sulu and North Borneo,” he added.

Idjirani, however, maintained that the Sultanate of Sulu has renounced violence as a way to pursue the Sabah claim. “We will exert all peaceful means to pursue the claim,” he said.

He also stressed that the Sultanate of Sulu will only throw its support to any presidential contender after consultations with its constituents and will be anchored on the support to the Sabah claim.

“In relation to the 2016 presidential elections, any support to a presidential contender must be anchored on the desire to pursue the Sabah claim peacefully with the Malaysian government,” Idjirani said.

Datu Khudar also denounced the February 2013 siege laid by members of the Royal Security Force of the Sultanate of Sulu that triggered weeks of fighting on Lahad Datu between the Filipino Tausugs and Malaysian troops. The siege was led by then Rajah Muda or Crown Prince Agbimmudin Kiram to revive the Sabah claim.

Daily Express quoted Kiram, who resides in Manila, as saying that his family line has always been supportive of Sabah joining Malaysia, saying he doesn’t want Sabah to fall under the Manila “Christian Government.”

Datu Khudar’s pronouncements came more than a week after Sultan Esmail Kiram II died of kidney failure last Sept. 20 in Zamboanga City. Last Saturday, Sultan Phugdalun Kiram II was installed as 35th Sultan of Sulu.

http://www.tribune.net.ph/nation/sulu-sultanate-debunks-datu-khidar-kiram-ll-s-drop-of-sabah-claim