‘Sabah not a bargaining chip’

THE Sultanate of Sulu has criticized the Philippine government for reportedly offering to downgrade its claim over Sabah (North Borneo) in exchange for Malaysia’s support for its legal battle against China over the disputed islands in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) before the United Nations (UN).

Abraham Idjirani, spokesman for the Sultanate of Sulu, told The Manila Times that the Philippine government cannot treat the Sabah claim as “bargaining chip” with Malaysia to gain support to resolve its territorial conflict with China.