Paris court annuls final award in Sulu claim

The Paris Court of Appeal has annulled in its entirety the purported final award from arbitrator Gonzalo Stampa granted on Feb 28, 2022, and ordered the so-called Sulu claimants to pay Malaysia €200,000 (RM957,140) in costs.

In a statement issued today by the Sulu Special Secretariat War Room, acting on behalf of the Malaysian government, it was confirmed that the Paris Court of Appeal delivered its ruling on Dec 9. The government received the court's official judgment overnight.

The court held that Stampa lacked jurisdiction to issue the final award, finding no valid arbitration agreement binding on Malaysia.

“As a result, the court annulled the purported 'final award' in its entirety. Malaysia trusts that this victory will put an end to all the baseless attempts from the so-called Sulu claimants (and their litigation funder, Therium) to extort money and assets from the people of Malaysia,” the statement read.

‘Triump of dignity, sovereignty’

The decision by the Paris Court of Appeal to fully annul the “final award” in the claim by individuals purporting to be heirs of the defunct Sulu Sultanate over Sabah has been described as a major victory for Malaysia.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Azalina Othman Said said the victory is not only a legal success, but also a triumph of dignity, sovereignty and rights for all Malaysians, especially the people of Sabah.

“On behalf of the Special Secretariat War Room on the Sulu case, I would like to express my highest appreciation to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, my fellow cabinet members of the Madani government, the legal team of the Attorney-General’s Chambers, Wisma Putra, the Legal Affairs Division, the Prime Minister’s Department and all government agencies that have worked hand in hand in carrying out this responsibility in the interest of the people and the nation.

“This proves the Madani government’s commitment to defending the country based on principles and the rule of law,” she said on Facebook today.

Unwavering commitment

The Sulu Special Secretariat War Room’s statement further affirmed Malaysia’s stance to vigorously defend itself against any further legal action initiated by the so-called Sulu claimants.

The Paris Court of Appeal had already refused to recognise or enforce the purported partial award on June 6, 2023. The French Supreme Court subsequently upheld this decision on Nov 6, 2024.

The statement then concluded that the Malaysian government reaffirms its unwavering commitment to defend the nation's sovereignty, immunity and national interests against these baseless claims.

- Bernama

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