THE government has classified one of the self-proclaimed heirs of the Sulu sultanate as a terrorist, according to Prime Minister’s Department’s legal affair division director-general Datuk Seri Khairul Dzaimee Daud.
Khairul said Fuad A Kiram has been linked to the Royal Sulu Force (RSF), an entity also classified as a terrorist group under Section 66B of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001.
The classification took effect from April 6.
Fuad is among the eight people who are claiming to be descendants of the Sulu sultan who had secured a disputed arbitration award against Malaysia last year.
Khairul further noted that the unity government would be taking a new approach in dealing with the Sulu heirs’ claim.
“Previously, the approach (to deal with the case) was in the form of ‘firefighting’ with regards to the countries involved,” he told reporters at a press conference here today (April 11).
He said the government would previously appeal against decisions by foreign courts and seek to set aside the awards granted.
However, the approach had been changed to an “offensive” mode under the new leadership, with Khairul saying that “the best defence is (to) attack”.
He further asserted that the Cabinet has agreed to the appointment of a UK-based public relations firm to manage the global narrative and media strategy regarding the case although he remained mum on the name of the firm.
He added that the legal affairs division would engage with stakeholders in Sabah on the case.
According to Khairul, Wisma Putra had sent a diplomatic note to the 171 countries where a US$14.92 bil (RM62.59 bil) award granted by the French arbitration court to the heirs of the last Sulu sultan was enforceable under the New York Convention.
He announced that the Home Minister would also make a visit to the four countries involved in the arbitration of the case – France, Spain, Luxembourg and the Netherlands – to explain the issues and facts surrounding the claim to his counterparts. – April 11, 2023
Main pic credit: Utusan Borneo Online
