KOTA KINABALU: An individual claiming to be the heir of the Sulu sultanate disagrees with the actions of a group of individuals in taking the Sulu dispute to the Spanish Constitutional Court because they are not the legal heirs.
Datu Omar Ali Datu Bachtiyal opined that the action of the group of individuals in bringing the dispute and arbitration process to the Spanish Constitutional Court was incorrect and illegal.
"In my opinion, it is not valid because we know that (the facts about the heirs) are mixed up, and if we really study (their status) is doubtful so this (status) is not true for me," he told Bernama recently.
He said the Sulu dispute could be properly negotiated with all parties and the arbitration process carried out through peaceful discussions without any contention.
"We can negotiate... we just want what is best for both parties, we also want to help develop Sabah. It's better that we discuss it with the Malaysian government," he said.
Datu Omar Ali, 64, said he was never consulted by the group of individuals involved before they took the arbitration process to the Spanish Constitutional Court.
"No communications, we were left in the dark, we did not know anything," he said while claiming to know some of the individuals involved and having met them previously.
Explaining the claim by one of the claimants in the Sulu dispute (at the Spanish Constitutional Court) namely Taj Mahal Kiram-Tarsum Nuqui that he is the heir of Dayang Dayang Piandao, a princess and one of the administrators of the Sulu sultanate in 1936, Datu Omar Ali said this was not true as she did not have any children.
"Taj Mahal is the grandson of Tarahata and not of Dayang Dayang Piandao. When he says he is the grandson of Dayang Dayang Piandao, it is a lie. Dayang Dayang Piandao never had a child, so how can she have a grandchild?" he said.
Datu Omar Ali claims that he is the heir from the lineage of Dayang Dayang Piandao. Dayang Dayang Piandao, who married Datu Ombra Amilbangsa, ascended the throne to become Sultanah in 1937 until her death in 1945.
Datu Omar Ali claims that his father and Datu Ombra Amilbangsa, who later became the Sulu Sultan in 1937, were first cousins.
The Sulu group was previously reported to have brought legal action to the Spanish Constitutional Court to receive compensation over land in Sabah which their ancestor had allegedly leased to a British trading company in 1878.
They then took the matter to the Spanish arbitrator in 2019 and the purported arbitrator, Dr Gonzalo Stampa, who was appointed by the group of individuals, made a decision in their (the claimants') favour.
The ruling was used to seize Petronas' assets in Luxembourg.
Malaysia subsequently availed itself to all available legal remedies to invalidate Stampa's two purported awards.
On Jan 24, the District Court of Luxembourg issued the decision to lift the attachment requested by the group of individuals.
The attachment order on July 11, 2022 that was set aside was requested based on two purported arbitral awards issued by an illegally appointed arbitrator, Stampa, who is said to have awarded the claimant an amount of US$14.92 billion (RM63.34 billion).
Malaysia had consistently objected to the alleged arbitration proceedings planned by the claimant and taken all available legal actions to revoke the appointment of Stampa and the said award.
The Spanish Constitutional Court also upheld the annulment of Stampa's appointment as arbitrator in the so-called Sulu dispute after rejecting the extraordinary constitutional appeal filed by a group of individuals (claimants) against the annulment of Stampa's appointment as arbitrator in the case
The French Court has also suspended the enforcement of the 'final award' said to have been issued by Stampa, pending the court's judicial outcome of all legal actions taken by the Malaysian government.
-- BERNAMA
Bernama
Sun Feb 05 2023
Datu Omar Ali Datu Bachtiyal disagrees with the actions of a group of individuals in taking the Sulu dispute to the Spanish Constitutional Court because they are not the legal heirs. - Twitter @bernamadotcom
Indonesia's free meals plan in the spotlight as Prabowo readies for office
Prabowo calls the programme one of the main drivers of economic growth, eventually set to add an estimated 2.5 million jobs.
Astro AWANI's revamped English news website, AWANI International, launches on Oct 21
Astro AWANI's revamped English platform delivers in-depth global news and expert analysis to keep you informed on key developments.
Israeli strikes kill 33 people in Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza, medics say
Residents of Jabalia said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp after pushing through suburbs and residential districts.
Liam Payne's ex-partner calls for media restraint after 'painful' death
Cheryl Tweedy used her statement to urge the media to remember they had a seven-year-old son, Bear, who could read the reports.
Analysts: Indonesia's strong MoF leadership team to boost investor confidence
Sri Mulyani Indrawati as head of Indonesia's Ministry of Finance is expected to instil confidence among investors.
Biden offers both a carrot and a stick to Israel as his term nears an end
Israel has frequently resisted US advice and has caused political difficulties for the Biden administration.
Putin says BRICS will generate most of global economic growth
Russian President Vladimir Putin will host a summit of the group in the city of Kazan on Oct. 22-24.
ISIS Malaysia's perspective of Budget 2025
An excellent rakyat-centric budget under the overarching principle of a caring and humane economy.
Budget 2025: Record increase in STR, SARA aid initiatives
The government will provide a significant boost to the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) initiatives next year.
Budget 2025: EPF contributions to be made mandatory for foreign workers – PM Anwar
The government plans to make it compulsory for all non-citizen workers to contribute to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF).
What policies to expect from Indonesia's new President Prabowo
Prabowo will be open to foreign investment, his aide has said, such as by offering investors management of airports and sea ports.
Budget 2025: Govt allocates RM470 mil to empower women's participation in PMKS
The Women's Leadership Apprenticeship Program will be intensified as an effort to produce more female corporate personalities.
Israel sends more troops into north Gaza, deepens raid
Residents of Jabalia in northern Gaza said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp, using heavy air and ground fire.
Indonesia ramps up security ahead of Prabowo's inauguration
Prabowo Subianto will be sworn in as Indonesia's president on Sunday with Vice President-elect, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, also taking office.
Immediate allocation of RM150 mil for local authorities, DID to tackle flash floods
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said this allocation is intended to address the recent flash floods that hit the capital and several major towns.
Budget 2025: Sabah, Sarawak to continue receiving among highest allocations - PM
Sabah and Sarawak continues to be prioritised under Budget 2025, with allocations of RM6.7 billion and RM5.9 billion respectively.
NFOF will be operational in November 2024 with funding of RM1 bil
PM Anwar Ibrahim said NFOF will support venture capital fund managers to invest in startup companies with RM300 million set aside for 2025.
Minimum wage to increase to RM1,700 effective Feb 1, 2025
The Progressive Wage Policy would be fully enforced next year with an allocation of RM200 million, benefiting 50,000 workers.
Bursa Malaysia ends higher on Budget 2025 optimism
The benchmark index, which opened 1.85 points higher at 1,643.29, moved between 1,641.71 and 1,649.31 throughout the trading session.
Five important aspects relating to people’s lives in Budget 2025 - PM
The focus is on driving the MADANI Economy, speeding reforms, cutting red tape, raising wages, and tackling the cost of living.