KUALA LUMPUR: The government has spent an estimated RM31 million in various costs involving the Sulu Sultanate's claims against Malaysia from Nov 20, 2019, and Jan 20, 2023.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said the amount comprised the cost of international legal services, court proceedings, translations and historical and legal research.
In a written parliamentary reply, Azalina said legal fees and payments had cost the government RM36,000 in 2019; RM167,000 in 2020; RM8.2 million in 2021; RM13.5 million in 2022 and RM5.4 million this year, for the handling of court cases in four countries namely Spain, France, Luxembourg and the Netherlands.
Azalina was responding to a question by Lim Lip Eng (PH-Kepong) who asked about the legal costs involved in this issue.
On the latest status of the claims, Azalina said in France, the hearing on an appeal by the Malaysian government against the Paris court order dated Sept 29, 2022, had taken place on Feb 6 this year, with the result expected to be released in June.
As for the application to suspend the court order, Azalina said it was first allowed on Dec 16, 2021, and was withdrawn on June 10, 2022.
"The Malaysian government is appealing to the June 10 decision and has filed arguments. The hearing has not been determined."
On the application by the Malaysian government to cancel the final award issued by Dr Stampa on Feb 28, 2022, Azalina said it was currently awaiting a hearing date.
"The application by the Malaysian government to suspend the Final award, the Paris court has allowed the suspension of the Final Award until the decision on the application is out."
The Sulu group was previously reported to have brought legal action to the Spanish Constitutional Court to receive compensation over land in Sabah which their ancestor had allegedly leased to a British trading company in 1878.
They then took the matter to the Spanish arbitrator in 2019 and the purported arbitrator, Dr Gonzalo Stampa, who was appointed by the group of individuals, decided against their (the claimants') favour.
Azalina said in Luxembourg, the government was challenging an ex parte exequatur order by filing the request on Sept 6.
"We are now waiting for the Luxembourg Court to set a date."
Azalina said the heirs were also seeking permission from the Netherlands court to enforce the award in the country.
"The court has set the hearing for April 17."
She said regarding the matter, the Attorney General's Chambers together with the foreign lawyers who have been appointed by the Malaysian government are preparing the statement of defence in challenging the application of the heir."