KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 7 — In a bid to refresh its stake on Sabah, the new head of the Sulu sultanate has offered what it calls a “win-win solution” for the long-standing conflict over ownership of the Borneo state between Malaysia and the Philippines.
Sultan Esmail Kiram II said they are offering to allow Sabah to remain within the federation of Malaysia, if the Malaysian government in turn recognises the sultanate’s ownership of the state.
“Malaysia is Muslim, the Sultanate is Muslim, the problem can be discussed between Muslims. If Malaysia wins, the Sultanate wins,” the new sultan was quoted saying in a report yesterday by Filipino paper Manila Bulletin.
Esmail succeeded his brother, Jamalul Kiram III, who died last October.