ABIM CONDEMNS PHILIPPINE SENATOR'S CALL TO REVIVE SABAH CLAIM

KUALA LUMPUR, March 27 (Bernama) -- The Muslim Youth Movement of Malaysia (ABIM) has strongly condemned the statement by Philippine Senator Robin Padilla calling for the revival of claims over Sabah, describing it as an irresponsible political provocation that could undermine regional stability.

Its vice-president, Salman Mohd Yusop, stressed that Sabah was a legitimate and indisputible territory of Malaysia, with its status finalised through a lawful historical process and international recognition.

“Any attempt to question Sabah’s sovereignty is completely unacceptable and must be firmly rejected by all parties,” he said in a statement today.

ABIM also described efforts to revive the claim as a regressive move that challenged the principle of national sovereignty and violated the spirit of understanding among ASEAN member states.

He said the statement was even more concerning in the current context, as the Philippines held the ASEAN Chairmanship, even if the remarks did not represent the official stance of that country’s government or ASEAN.

“Failure to clearly distance and correct such narratives risks undermining regional leadership credibility and creating the perception that ASEAN’s core principles, particularly respect for sovereignty and non-interference, are being eroded,” he said.

Salman stressed that linking territorial sovereignty issues with resource interests such as oil was a narrow and dangerous approach, as it opened the door to opportunistic politics that could trigger geopolitical tensions.

In this regard, he said ABIM urged the Malaysian government to adopt a firmer and clearer stance in defending national sovereignty through principled diplomatic channels.

At the same time, Salman said the Philippine government, as ASEAN Chair, bears the responsibility to clearly correct and distance itself from any statements that contradict ASEAN principles, in order to preserve the values of justice, peace and mutual respect among nations.

The Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (PGRS) Youth wing also condemned the statement, describing it as contrary to the principles of sovereignty and international law.

Acting PGRS Youth chief Azrul Ibrahim described the statement as irresponsible and seen as an attempt to divert attention from the country’s domestic issues.

“Sabah is not a commodity to resolve other countries’ problems, but a sovereign state within Malaysia that must be respected by all parties,” he said, urging the people of Sabah to remain calm and not be influenced by any external statements that could cause confusion.

-- BERNAMA