What Malaysia is fighting for
In February 2022, eight individuals that claim to be the descendants of the so-called Sultan of Sulu, Jamalul Kiram II, received an award of $14.9bn against the Government of Malaysia. Over 16% of Malaysia’s yearly budget is now at stake.
Malaysia completely rejects the award, does not recognise its legitimacy, and is litigating across Europe to ensure that the award is overturned.
The Sulu case is a sophisticated abuse of the arbitral process and international law. It is an attempt to hold a sovereign state to ransom, and the continued existence of the award tarnishes the reputation of the globally respected arbitration system.
In June 2023, Malaysia won landmark victories in the Paris Court of Appeal and The Hague Court of Appeal, demonstrating the fundamentally flawed nature of the Sulu claim and a clear step towards the collapse of the case.
