30-04-2025
Paris Court To Hear Sulu Case Appeal On July 7
The Sulu group's arbitration claim against Malaysia will next be heard on July 7 at the Paris Court of Appeal, where the French judiciary will examine the validity of the US$14.9 billion arbitration award and other related legal aspects.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform), Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, confirmed the date and reaffirmed the government's unwavering stance in the case.
'Malaysia will continue to exhaust all efforts, rights and available resources to protect the country's sovereign immunity and interests, and to bring to a close the baseless fraud case by the Sulu group,' she said in a statement.
She added that recent rulings had significantly strengthened Malaysia's legal position and sovereignty, including: The French Court of Cassation cancelling the recognition of the preliminary award
cancelling the recognition of the preliminary award The Dutch Supreme Court rejecting the final award
rejecting the final award The French Court of Appeal convicting arbitrator Gonzalo Stampa of contempt of court
Azalina also said the Sulu group's claim had 'challenged the limits of Malaysia's sovereign immunity,' revealing the misuse of third-party funding and attempts by private arbitration tribunals to seize government assets through deceptive means.
Currently on a working visit to Europe, Azalina met with Malaysia's legal team in Paris to continue strategising and receiving updates on the ongoing case.
Previously, eight Filipino nationals claiming to be heirs of the defunct Sulu Sultanate filed for arbitration in Spain, demanding billions from Malaysia over Sabah. In March 2019, the Madrid Court appointed Gonzalo Stampa as arbitrator.
Despite his appointment being annulled, Stampa proceeded with the arbitration and issued a Final Award of US$14.9 billion on 28 February 2022, which Malaysia considers unlawful.
Malaysia's legal fight has seen several victories, including the French Supreme Court's full rejection of the Sulu group's legal challenge in November last year. That decision meant the Final Award is not recognised under French law, nullifying its basis for enforcement. Related
