Kiram successor to push for Sabah claim in diplomatic, peaceful way

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - The successor of the Sultanate of Sulu vowed that the claim on Sabah will continue now with a more diplomatic and legal approach after the standoff early this year in Lahad Datu, Sabah. 

Esmail Kiram II, who succeeded his late brother Sultan Jamalul Kiram III, said they are now continuously planning to tackle the diplomatic and legal approach on pursuing their claims on Sabah.

Kiram said he would not encourage any bloody attempt similar to the February standoff where more than 200 Sultanate members led by another younger brother Rajah Mudah Agbimuddin Kiram forced hundreds of undocumented Filipinos in Sabah to sail back home to escape arrest by Malaysian forces. 

The erstwhile Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III, 78, who passed away last October from lingering illness and was buried in his hometown in Maimbung, Sulu, earlier supported Agbimuddin in coming to Lahad Datu to peacefully state their claim of Sabah and stressed the group was only forced to defend against the hostile action of the Malaysian forces.

“Continue ang claim hanggang may Kiram,” the younger Kiram said.

Kiram also said the hostility of the Malaysian forces against his brother’s group have already ceased. However, he did not say whether Agbimuddin is still in hiding in Sabah or has already returned to the country.

“Thank God wala nang awayan doon and those being ran after were the undocumented Filipinos,” the Sulu Sultanate successor said.