Shafie: Sabah’s sovereignty within Malaysia ‘settled, non-negotiable’

KOTA KINABALU (Feb 26): Warisan has stressed that Sabah’s status within Malaysia is firmly established, in response to recent statements from Philippines officials claiming the state.

Its president Datuk Seri Panglima Mohd Shafie Apdal noted that before Malaysia was formed, the United Nations sent a mission to North Borneo, which recorded in its 1963 Report of the Secretary-General (UN Document A/5446) that a substantial majority of the people of Sabah supported the formation of Malaysia.

He added that Sabah helped form Malaysia under the Malaysia Agreement in 1963 and is an equal partner in the Federation.

“Its position is settled and it is not open to external assertion. That verified exercise of self-determination is the foundation of our sovereignty and of Sabah’s status today,” he said in a statement.

Mohd Shafie emphasised that no foreign legislation or map can override the will of Sabahans.

“Sabah is governed under the Federal Constitution. Sabahans vote in Malaysian elections and send representatives to Parliament.

“Malaysian laws are applied and Malaysian courts function in Sabah without interruption. Malaysia’s territorial integrity, including Sabah, has been recognised internationally since 1963.

“Malaysia exercises full and continuous administration over Sabah. These are not opinions but facts,” he said.

He also reaffirmed that Sabah welcomes peaceful relations with neighbouring countries but cannot accept narratives that disregard the dignity, security, and rights of its people.

“Sabah is not an abstract claim. It is our home. Its sovereignty within Malaysia is settled and it is not negotiable,” Mohd Shafie reminded.