KOTA KINABALU: The decision of the Paris Court of Appeal to uphold Malaysia's  challenge on the Sulu heirs' arbitration judgement vindicated the State Government's  stand all this while that the so-called Sabah claim has no merit whatsoever. 

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Haji Noor, in welcoming the landmark court  victory said it further reinforced Sabah’s position in the Federation of Malaysia. 

He reiterated that Sabahans have chosen to jointly form the Malaysia Federation  through the Malaysian Agreement 1963 (MA63) therefore, any external claims against  the state of Sabah will not be recognised at all by the people. 

“The Sabah state government welcomes the decision and hopes that the Government  of Malaysia will take all appropriate actions to put an end to the claim once and for all. 

“Sabah, through its Attorney General chambers will continue to play its role with the  Federal Attorney General in dealing with the case,” he said. 

On June 6, the Paris Court of Appeal in France upheld Malaysia’s challenge against the  decision by the Spanish court-appointed arbitrator for the Sulu claimants' case, Gonzalo  Stampa on May 5, 2020 known as the “partial award.” 

Stampa moved the arbitration to Paris after the same Spanish court annulled his  appointment as an arbitrator on June 2021. 

The Paris Court of Appeal’s decision ultimately means that the Sulu claimants’ US$14.9  billion compensation, which was the “final award” awarded by Stampa after moving the  arbitration to Paris on Feb 28, 2022, cannot be enforced against Malaysia. 

Ends