Malaysia’s claim of a criminal investigation against the arbitrator who awarded US$14.92 billion (RM62.59 billion) to Sulu descendants is a concocted ‘farce’ to smear his reputation, according to a United Kingdom-based lawyer.

Paul Cohen, who represented the Sulu claimants, contended that the Madrid court never ordered Spanish arbitrator Gonzalo Stampa to refrain from performing his arbitral duties.

The lawyer from law firm 4-5 Gray’s Inn Square in London claimed...