Sulu has no right over Sabah

The Sulu sultan’s army did not participate during the battle between the two sultans of Brunei, Sultan Muhyddin and Sultan Abdul Mubin, in 1660.

It was only after Muhyddin had won, the Sulu army landed and took the opportunity to seize a number of war boaties.

The Sulu army were terrified by the resistance of Sultan Abdul Mubin in Pulau Chermin, according to Pehin Mohd Jamil Al Sufri, a renowned Brunei historian in his “Tarsilah Brunei II Period of Splendor and Fame” (2007).

He did not deny the fact that the Sulus were invited and promised the northern territory of Brunei, then part of Sabah, but only if they helped him to win. The civil war lasted 11 years.

During the battle for Pulau Chermin, Sulu forces were supposed to attack the island from Pulau Keingaran and from the sea, but they did not do so. According to Pehin Mohd Jamil, Sultan Muhyddin refused to cede the territory claimed by Sulu.

The area was only “claimed”, not ceded.

This issue must be clarified to Malaysians and to the world at large, to counter the claim of Jacel Kiram’s manifesto campaign in her bid to become a senator in the Philippine parliament.

It does not concern us if she becomes senator or not, but harping on history, which has no more relevance, claiming our Sabah state is theirs of which 99% Sabahans are not interested to be ruled by the defunct sultanate, this must be made known.

Among other writers, LR Right in her “The Origin of British Borneo 1970”, said the legitimacy of Sulu claims is in considerable doubt partly because of the unreliability of tarsilas such as “Selesilah” which in many cases are nothing more than legend to enhance the status of the royal house.

Succeeding sultans of Brunei have denied that North Borneo was ever given to Sulu, only the weight of Sulu tradition supports the claim.

Such a claim is resting on the treaty signed by Sultan Sulu, Jamalulazam, with GB Overbeck on January 22, 1878, where Overbeck was appointed as Datuk Bendahara and Raja Sandakan an area from Kimanis to Sungai Sibuku, but three weeks earlier, the same Overbeck signed an agreement with Sultan Abd Mubin of Brunei.

Mubin appointed Overbeck as Maharaja Sabah and Raja Gaya and Sandakan on December 29, 1877, an area from Bangi to Sungai Sibuku.

There were so many treaties as well as overlapping treaties being signed but only to be revoked soon after there were signed, so to speak. Among them were Treaty Bases of Peace & Capitulation in 1878, which Sultan Sulu signed with the Spanish, agreeing that Sulu ceded its sovereignty to Spain including the “claimed” eastern Borneo. Also, the Madrid Protocol in 1885, when Spain agreed to relinquish its Borneo territory to Britain.

On April 22, 1903, Sultan Jamlulul Kiram signed an agreement “Confirmation of Cession of Island” granting sovereignty to British Borneo Company.

It sounds ridiculous to entrain such claims and the latest was in 1962, when the Sulu ceded it sovereignty to the Philippine government. Obviously, the Philippines looks far better knowledgeable on the status of claims than the Sulu. – February 14, 2016.

Jacel Kiram’s Senate bid can’t mention Sabah

Spain agreed to relinquish its territory in Borneo to the British under the Madrid Protocol 1885.

Succeeding Brunei Sultans, said senior Sabah lawyer Amde Sidik, denied that any part of North Borneo was ever given to Sulu. “Only the weight of Sulu tradition supports the claim. The weight of Brunei tradition challenges it.”

Spain agreed to relinquish its territory in Borneo to the British under the Madrid Protocol 1885, he added. “The Protocol found the Sulu Sultanate became defunct when the last Sultan died without leaving a male heir.”

It’s ridiculous to entertain the Sabah claim, said Amde who also heads a think tank, Progressive Institute of Public Policy Analysis Sabah (PIPPA). “The latest was in 1962 when Sulu ceded sovereignty rights to the Philippines Government.”

“That too is history. The Philippines Government obviously has far more knowledge about the status of the claim than Sulu.”

Amde was commenting on Jacel Kiram’s campaign manifesto on her bid to enter the Philippines Senate. “She claims that she would revive her ancestor’s claim over Sabah if she wins.”

“It does not concern us whether she becomes Senator or otherwise.”

However, he added, harping on “history” which has no relevance was a different matter. “Sulu can’t claim Sabah.”

“Ninety nine per cent of Sabahans are not interested to be ruled by a defunct Sultanate. This must be made known.”

PIPPA, he pledged, was determined to lay the matter to rest once and for all. “We have undertaken extensive studies on this subject.”

“The findings will be made public soon.”

There were so many treaties, as well as overlapping treaties being signed, but only to be revoked soon after they were signed, continued Amde.

Among other writers, said Amde, L R Right in her “The Origin of British Borneo”, said there was considerable doubt on the legitimacy of the Sulu claims. “The claims were in many cases nothing more than legends written down to enhance the status of the ruling house.”

Three weeks before G B Overbeck signed a treaty with Sulu Sultan Jamalulazam on January 22, 1878, he signed an agreement with Sultan Abd Momin of Brunei, said Amde. “Mubin appointed Overbeck as Maharaja Sabah and Raja Gaya and Sandakan on December 29, 1877, an area from Bangi to Sungai Sibuku.”

“Jamalulazam appointed Overbeck as Datuk Bendahara and Raja Sandakan, an area from Kimanis to Sungai Sibuku.”

Forum: “Malaysia Dilemma”

Forum: “Malaysia Dilemma”

Hosted by Gerakan Perpaduan & Perpaduan Sabah (GPS)

Place: Likas Square, 3rd floor (Peregrine Function Room)
Date: Sunday, 17th of May
Time: 2pm-6pm

Those who will be speaking in the forum are:

-YB Datuk Seri Panglima Wilfred Mojilip Bumburing
-YB Datuk Jeffrey Kitingan
-Datuk Seri Panglima Yong Teck Lee
-Puan Jannie Lasimbang
-2 guests from KL

Issues that will talked about in the forum are:

-RCI
-Borneonisation
-Malaysia Agreement

Keselamatan Sabah seperti bom jangka

KOTA KINABALU: Rombakan Esscom bagi meningkatkan tahap keselamatan di Sabah demi membendung penculikan berulang dan serangan rentas sempadan dilakukan berikutan kritikan orang ramai yang semakin memuncak kerana kegagalan badan itu.

“Rantaian perintah yang dirombak masih tidak jelas. Jika polis yang kini memimpinnya, apakah itu bererti jawatan Ketua Pengarah Esscom kini tidak penting lagi?” tanya Pengerusi STAR Sabah, Jeffrey Kitingan ketika ditanya mengenai reaksi beliau terhadap penyusunan semula Esscom.

“Siapakah sebenarnya yang bertanggungjawab terhadap keselamatan Sabah? Dan apa pula peranan dan tanggungjawab Ketua Menteri Sabah sebagai pengerusi keselamatan negeri ?”

“Najib harus ingat,” kata Jeffrey yang juga ADUN Bingkor, “bahawa ancaman terhadap keselamatan Sabah dan negara berpunca dari dalam negeri Sabah dan bukan dari luar.”

Katanya lagi,”Ancaman keselamatan seperti penculikan dan serangan rentas sempadan adalah disebabkan oleh dasar-dasar dan tindakan kerajaan persekutuan membantu dan ‘menyalurkan’ senjata kepada pemberontak Islam di selatan Filipina serta mengeluarkan kad pengenalan Malaysia secara haram kepada mereka untuk tujuan politik.”

Sehubungan itu beliau bertanya bagaimana kerajaan persekutuan menangani potensi bahaya itu tanpa laporan RCI dan cadangan serta solusi yang disarankan untuk dilaksanakan.

“Sudah tiba masanya untuk kerajaan persekutuan menjadi lebih telus dalam rancangan menangani masalah keselamatan dan isu pendatang asing tanpa izin di Sabah dan tidak menganggap kemelut itu sebagai masalah kecil atau cuma sebagai aktiviti perhubungan awam.”

Pengganas hanyalah sebahagian kecil daripada masalah sebenar

“Kita sudah kesuntukkan masa dan hanya menunggu bom jangka untuk meletup di Sabah,”kata Jeffrey memberi amaran.

“Penangkapan dua suspek militan baru-baru ini, dikatakan dari Kampung Titingan di Tawau, Sabah (walaupun dinafikan oleh ketua kampung) dan penangkapan yang dilakukan oleh tentera laut serta kakitangan keselamatan, disyaki ada kaitan dengan pengganas dan ia hanyalah sebahagian kecil daripada masalah sebenar.”

Najib ketika mengumumkan penstrukturan semula Esscom berkata, Esscom akan mempunyai dua komponen utama – keselamatan dan pengurusan pertahanan, dan penguatkuasaan serta tindakan awam.

Esscom split into two branches

PUTRAJAYA: The Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) will be split into two components under a restructure that will take effect next Tuesday.

One component will be called the Security and Defence Management and the other the Enforcement and Public Action.

Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak announced the restructure at a press conference here today.

He said Abdul Rashid Harun, who is currently the director of Esscom’s Safety and Public Security Department, will be promoted to the position of Esscom Commander.

Esscom was established last year, following the intrusion of Sulu militants into Kampung Tanduo in Lahad Datu. It has recently become the target of widespread criticism following cross-border kidnappings in Semporna, Lahad Datu and Kunak.

Petronas bincang royalti minyak dengan Adenan

KUCHING: Pegawai atasan Petronas telah memberi taklimat kepada Ketua Menteri Adenan Satem mengenai operasi syarikat minyak negara itu dan hasil mereka sebagai tindak balas kepada permintaan Kerajaan Sarawak untuk kenaikan royalti minyak kepada 20 peratus.

Adenan yang diiringi oleh beberapa menteri kabinet negeri, menghadiri taklimat itu di Wisma Bapa Malaysia di sini pagi kelmarin.

Mesyuarat dengan Petronas itu telah disebutkan oleh Ketua Menteri Khamis lepas

Ketua Menteri meninggalkan mesyuarat tertutup itu tanpa sebarang komen manakala menteri-menteri yang mengiringi beliau enggan mengulas tentang perbincangan yang diadakan. Mereka cuma berkata bahawa Adenan akan mengeluarkan satu kenyataan mengenai taklimat itu pada masa akan datang.

Mesyuarat dengan Petronas itu telah disebutkan oleh Ketua Menteri semasa dialog dengan masyarakat Cina di Pusat Konvensyen Borneo di sini Khamis lepas.

Article from FreeMalaysiaToday:

http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2014/07/01/petronas-bincang-royalti-minyak-dengan-adenan/

Speak up on cabotage policy

If we go by Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak’s policy of “People First Performance Now”, then shouldn’t the welfare of the people of Sabah and Sarawak be of top priority?

And if this is so, why are East Malaysians still stuck with a cabotage policy that is more a burden than anything else? In fact, this policy is the reason behind the rising cost of living in Sabah and Sarawak.

Now after having been sucked into Malaysia’s power-hungry political system, East Malaysians have been left completely powerless under Barisan Nasional’s (BN) rule. More so since Sabah is now ruled by UMNO/BN as well.

We have already surrendered our oil and gas to PETRONAS, whose accounts have never been made public, not even by Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee. It is instead under the direct purview of the Prime Minister who is also the Finance Minister.

Now an UMNO politician in Sabah is saying we have to maintain the present cabotage policy to save the shipping industry. Why is the fate of the shipping industry of any concern to us, East Malaysians?

Shouldn’t Sabah’s and Sarawak’s parliamentarians, who are equally concerned about the high cost of living we endure, be more vocal about our state rights?

Why is it that the people of our two states, independent before the formation of Malaysia, have to endure this treatment by Malaysia just because of BN rule?

Article from FMTBorneo Plus:

http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/opinion/letters/2014/07/07/speak-up-on-cabotage-policy/

 

 

Make Sabah, Sarawak Equal Partners to Peninsula: Jeffery

A leading Sabah politician has called for a restructuring of the Federal government to put Sabah, Sarawak on equal footing with Peninsular Malaysia.
State Reform Party (STAR) chief Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan said the Malaysia Agreement 1963 has turned out to be a “takeover” project that has left the Borneo states subservient to Peninsular Malaysia, and robbed them of their wealth and political independence.

“If we were to save Malaysia, we have to restructure (the government). We cannot leave it like it is right now. It is one-sided,” Kitingan told a forum in Kuala Lumpur today.

He said revamping the structure of the Federal government could be done in two ways.

“One option is, Malaya will remain Federation of Malaya. You will have your own states, you will have your own prime minister, and own unitary (central) government.

“Sarawak will have the same thing. All the residencies in Sarawak will become states. And we can create a unitary government (each) in Sabah and Sarawak. They can then have their own prime ministers,” said the Bingkor state assemblyman.

Kitingan said the three central governments could collectively form a new Federal government that would cooperate on national policies, while development issues in each region would be left to each central government.

The new Federal government would be headed by one prime minister, known as the Prime Minister of Malaysia, he added.

“This means we are all in the Federation of Malaysia, but Sabah (and Sarawak) have their own government. Don’t kacau-kacau (disturb) there, we don’t kacau-kacau you here (Peninsular Malaysia),” he said.

“We take care of our own development, but we coordinate on the federal policies.

“This way, everything is fair. Then you retain what the Cobbold Commission Chairman was saying, ‘that you retain your individualities’,” Kitingan said at the forum jointly organised by the Sarawak Association for People’s Aspiration and Borneo Heritage Foundation of Sabah.

Another option, said Kitingan, was to have one elected prime minister and three deputy prime ministers, one from the peninsula, one from Sabah, and one from Sarawak.

He said calls for a review of the Malaysia Agreement 1963, the oil agreement and even for a separation between the peninsula and Borneo states were growing louder.

“Instead of Sabah and Sarawak becoming equal partners to Malaya, we (Borneo) are just rooms in the longhouse of Malaysia. We were downgraded to become the 12th and 13th states. Malaya went up, Sabah and Sarawak stayed down,” said Kitingan.

“We feel we are being recolonised.” June 15, 2014.

Article was made by: Datuk Dr Jeffery Kitingan