On March 1, 2016, the Foreign Affairs Ministry called in Maria Antonina M Mendoza-Oblena, Charge d’Affaires of the Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines, regarding the statement made by one of the Philippines presidential election candidates in its local media who had vowed to pursue the country’s territorial claim over Sabah should he be elected president, during elections scheduled on May 9, 2016.

The government of Malaysia wishes to reiterate its position that Malaysia does not recognise and will not entertain any claims by any party on Sabah. Sabah is recognised by the United Nations (UN) and international community as part of Malaysia since the formation of the Federation on Sept 16, 1963.

- Bernama