KOTA KINABALU: All Sabah elected representatives have been urged to take a united stand to end the claims from the heirs of the Sultan of Sulu.
Sabah Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) information chief Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan said the state's elected representatives, whether in the Dewan Rakyat or State Legislative Assembly, must be united to deal with the Sulu claim, which seemed to have no end.
"This matter involves the sovereignty of our state and cannot be discussed by looking at differences and negative points of view and blaming each other," he said today.
Khairul called on all Sabah leaders to put aside their political differences and ideology, and unite in one common voice to defend the state's sovereignty and Malaysia.
He added that Sabah leaders should also find a common solution and stop pointing fingers at each other.
"The Sulu claim is not a minor issue that we can take lightly. We need to rise together to find a solution for us to defend our sovereignty.
"We need a closure for this issue."
Khairul said the Sulu claim should be debated in the Dewan Rakyat and State Legislative Assembly with developments from the Lahad Datu intrusion to the seizure of Petronas assets, even though the government did not recognise their demands.
"The people have placed their hopes and trust in our leaders and we do not want them to lose confidence in us," he said.
The people needed a clear picture and should not be obscured by vague explanations, Khairul added.
"Discussions on this claim need to be scrutinised and resolved as soon as possible because not much is known about the seizure of Petronas assets abroad.
"This gives the impression that the claim had gained international recognition and given rise to negative assumptions," he said.