by David E.
KOTA KINABALU: Aug 26, 2026 – Sabah is and will forever remain a sovereign state within the Federation of Malaysia, and any claims over the state are utterly baseless and devoid of legal or historical merit, says Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Jeffrey G. Kitingan.
The Member of Parliament for Keningau and President of Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR) firmly rejected remarks made by Philippine Senator Robin Padilla, who had urged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr to “revive” the Philippines’ claim over Sabah, citing the state’s oil and gas resources as a solution to his country’s energy crisis.
In a press statement today, Jeffrey described Padilla’s comments as a desperate attempt to divert attention from the Philippines’ internal problems through irresponsible political grandstanding, noting that such statements are a recurring political tactic often surfacing ahead of elections in the Philippines.
“The foundation of the Philippines’ claim rests on a fundamental misrepresentation of the 1878 Agreement,” he said, explaining that on 22 January 1878, Sultan Mohammad Jamalul Ahlam Kiram of Sulu executed an agreement granting territories in North Borneo to Gustavus Baron de Overbeck and Alfred Dent as a perpetual lease that transferred full governing rights.
He further pointed to the 1903 Confirmatory Deed, in which Sultan Jamalul Kiram II stated with unmistakable clarity: “WE, the Sultan of Sulu, state with truth and clearness that we have ceded to the Government of British North Borneo of our own pleasure all the islands that are near the territory of North Borneo.”
Jeffrey also cited the 1939 Macaskie Judgment, where British Chief Justice C.F.C. Macaskie of the North Borneo High Court ruled that the Grant of 1878 was a cession or sale, and that the money paid to the heirs was cession money with no bearing on territorial property.
On 31 August 1963, Sabah obtained its independence from British colonial rule, complete with its own flag, national anthem (Sabah Tanah Airku), and constitution, he noted. For 16 full days, from 31 August to 15 September 1963, Sabah existed as an independent nation before forming the Federation of Malaysia on 16 September 1963 together with Malaya, Sarawak, and Singapore.
“Sabah did not ‘join’ an existing country; it formed Malaysia as an equal founding member. Sabah’s sovereignty is original and pre-dates Malaysia’s existence,” Jeffrey emphasised.
He also highlighted that multiple attempts to challenge Sabah’s sovereignty, including arbitration proceedings in Spain and challenges against decisions of the Paris Court of Appeal, have all been dismissed by international legal systems.
The Malaysian government has acted decisively, with Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan confirming that Malaysia will send a diplomatic note to the Philippines to reject any renewed claims on Sabah. “Malaysia is sending a note rejecting the claim, not a note of objection, because the claim is unfounded,” Jeffrey said.
“Let me be unequivocal: Sabah is, and will forever remain, a sovereign state within the Federation of Malaysia. The historical record—the 1878 Agreement, the 1903 Confirmatory Deed, the 1939 Macaskie Judgment, Sabah’s independence on 31 August 1963, and its role as a founding member of Malaysia on 16 September 1963—establishes beyond any doubt that Sabah’s sovereignty is final and beyond question,” he said.
Jeffrey called upon the Philippine government to distance itself from these reckless remarks and to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Malaysia.
“Sabah is not, and will never be, a solution to the Philippines’ problems,” he added.
