PUTRAJAYA: The government reiterates its stand that Malaysia will never recognise and entertain any claims by any party on Sabah.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman said Sabah is recognised by the United Nations and the international community as part of Malaysia since the formation of the Federation on September 16, 1963.
"We are aware of remarks made by Aquilino Pimentel Jr, a member of the Philippines’ Consultative Committee which appeared in the media on the claim on Sabah recently.
"The Malaysian government reiterates its position that Malaysia does not recognise and will not entertain any claims by any party on Sabah.
"Therefore, statements such as these will only expose the ignorance of history and international law of those who make them, as well as potentially harming the excellent bilateral relations which Malaysia and the Philippines currently enjoy," he said in a statement.
Reportedly Pimentel, who was appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte as a member of a consultative committee to review the 1987 Constitution, said he would propose the inclusion of Sabah in the Philippines' territory as part of the country’s shift to a federal system of government.
Pimentel was quoted as saying: "There should be a way that is acceptable under international laws to assert our claim to Sabah.
"I think we can defer it a little bit more but to say that we stop doing it is not in the context of my proposal,” he said in an interview with a television news network, ANC, in Manila.