Lahad Datu: Karpal asks A-G to seek review of cessation payment for Sabah

GEORGE TOWN: DAP national chairman and veteran lawyer Karpal Singh (pic) is calling upon the Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail to immediately file the necessary court application to review the cessation payment for Sabah.

“With the passage of time and with Sabah having joined Malaysia as a sovereign state by having ambassadorial level representation in the country, it clearly means that the Philippines cannot lay any claim to Sabah,” said Karpal.

Under a High Court of North Borneo order in 1938, the Malaysian government pays a cessation of RM5,300 a year for Sabah, which is given to the heirs of the sultan of Sulu.

“The continued annual cessation payment pursuant to the order of the High Court of Borneo requires review to discontinue the payment. This can be done by the High Court in Kota Kinabalu,” he said.

“It is my view that the cessation payment constitutes a fit and proper case for the High Court in Kota Kinabalu to review the 1938 decision and order that the cessation payment be discontinued immediately,” he said.

“As an independent country, we should not be paying lease money. By paying, we are accepting that we are not independent,” he said.