Malaysians celebrate 16 September as Hari Malaysia yearly for it is the day where back in 1963, Malaysia was legally formed. Consists of Tanah Melayu, Sabah, Sarawak and not forgetting Singapore (who pulled-out from Malaysia 2 years later), we managed to live in harmony and put ourselves in line with other developing countries.
But sadly, after 51 years of independence, we're still resolving sovereignty disputes over several territories throughout Malaysia. After Pulau Batu Putih, Sabah future with us now is in jeopardy. On 9 September 2008, Radio Philippines reported that the 54-year-old Sultan Fuad Kiram I said that as the crowned ruler, he would extend his hand of peace and unity with all the nine declared heirs of Sultan Jamalul Kiram II, the Sultan of Sulu and North Borneo. Kiram said the nine heirs must unite, if they were to succeed in pursuing their Sabah claim.
According to history, the Sultanate of Sulu was granted the territory as a prize for helping the Sultan Brunei against his enemies and from then on that part of Borneo was recognized as part of the Sultan of Sulu’s sovereignty.
On 23 January 1878, in exchange for modern weapons with which to keep Spanish colonizers away from the Sulu Archipelago, the ruler of Sulu, Sultan Jamalul Alam , leased the territory of North Borneo to Gustavus von Overback.
The agreement further stated explicitly that the rights to the territory may not be transferred to a nation or another company without the Sultan’s express permission. This lease was continued until the independence and formation of the Malaysian federation in 1963.
It is important to note though the admission of Sabah and Sarawak into the federation was done after the Cobbold Comission,it was found that ‘About one-third of the population of each territory (Sabah and Sarawak) strongly favours early realization of Malaysia without too much concern over terms and conditions. Another third, many of them favourable to the Malaysia projects, asked , with varying degrees of emphasis, for conditions and safeguards. The remaining third was divided between those who insisted upon independence before Malaysia was considered and those who would strongly preferred to see British rule continued for some years to come.
However, Indonesia and Philippines rejected the findings of the Cobbold. A meeting was held in Manila between President Soekarno, President Macapagal and Malayan Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman. The meeting agreed to petition the UN to send another commission of enquiry by with the Philippines and Indonesia agreed to drop their objection to the formation of Malaysia if the new commission found popular opinion in the territories in favour.
The Mission’s report, authored by UN Secretary-General U Thant found ‘a sizeable majority of the people’ in favour of joining Malaysia (doesn’t that explains everything?). Although Indonesia and Philippines subsequently rejected the report’s finding, the report in effect sealed the creation of Malaysia. Actually, according to the News Straits Times on 30th May 2008, it was said that raising the Sabah bogey has become` the weapon of choice for Philippine politicians whenever they have a particular axe to grind against Malaysia`.
However, if the Philippines government continues to hurry Malaysia into taking this claim to the ICJ, they have to bear in mind that by earlier ruling made by the ICJ on Pulau Sipadan and Pulau Ligitan – to remain under the jurisdiction and sovereignty of Malaysia,would reinforced Sabah’s position within Malaysia.
My personal advice for both countries is for them to stop the dispute now, once and forever. Sabah has enough problems in hand already with the illegal immigrant issues and all. In the spirit of ASEAN countries, let’s put the nuisance aside, and starts planning on what can be done to modernize the life of people in Sabah.
But sadly, after 51 years of independence, we're still resolving sovereignty disputes over several territories throughout Malaysia. After Pulau Batu Putih, Sabah future with us now is in jeopardy. On 9 September 2008, Radio Philippines reported that the 54-year-old Sultan Fuad Kiram I said that as the crowned ruler, he would extend his hand of peace and unity with all the nine declared heirs of Sultan Jamalul Kiram II, the Sultan of Sulu and North Borneo. Kiram said the nine heirs must unite, if they were to succeed in pursuing their Sabah claim.
According to history, the Sultanate of Sulu was granted the territory as a prize for helping the Sultan Brunei against his enemies and from then on that part of Borneo was recognized as part of the Sultan of Sulu’s sovereignty.
On 23 January 1878, in exchange for modern weapons with which to keep Spanish colonizers away from the Sulu Archipelago, the ruler of Sulu, Sultan Jamalul Alam , leased the territory of North Borneo to Gustavus von Overback.
The agreement further stated explicitly that the rights to the territory may not be transferred to a nation or another company without the Sultan’s express permission. This lease was continued until the independence and formation of the Malaysian federation in 1963.
It is important to note though the admission of Sabah and Sarawak into the federation was done after the Cobbold Comission,it was found that ‘About one-third of the population of each territory (Sabah and Sarawak) strongly favours early realization of Malaysia without too much concern over terms and conditions. Another third, many of them favourable to the Malaysia projects, asked , with varying degrees of emphasis, for conditions and safeguards. The remaining third was divided between those who insisted upon independence before Malaysia was considered and those who would strongly preferred to see British rule continued for some years to come.
However, Indonesia and Philippines rejected the findings of the Cobbold. A meeting was held in Manila between President Soekarno, President Macapagal and Malayan Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman. The meeting agreed to petition the UN to send another commission of enquiry by with the Philippines and Indonesia agreed to drop their objection to the formation of Malaysia if the new commission found popular opinion in the territories in favour.
The Mission’s report, authored by UN Secretary-General U Thant found ‘a sizeable majority of the people’ in favour of joining Malaysia (doesn’t that explains everything?). Although Indonesia and Philippines subsequently rejected the report’s finding, the report in effect sealed the creation of Malaysia. Actually, according to the News Straits Times on 30th May 2008, it was said that raising the Sabah bogey has become` the weapon of choice for Philippine politicians whenever they have a particular axe to grind against Malaysia`.
However, if the Philippines government continues to hurry Malaysia into taking this claim to the ICJ, they have to bear in mind that by earlier ruling made by the ICJ on Pulau Sipadan and Pulau Ligitan – to remain under the jurisdiction and sovereignty of Malaysia,would reinforced Sabah’s position within Malaysia.
My personal advice for both countries is for them to stop the dispute now, once and forever. Sabah has enough problems in hand already with the illegal immigrant issues and all. In the spirit of ASEAN countries, let’s put the nuisance aside, and starts planning on what can be done to modernize the life of people in Sabah.
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