How are alleged Sulu heirs distorting the truth in court and media?

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Alleged Sulu Heirs Accused of Distorting Truth in Dispute Over Sabah

The group claiming to be heirs of the Sultan of Sulu is allegedly attempting to distort the truth concerning the dispute over Sabah, both in media reports and before the courts. Malaysia has affirmed its commitment to vigorously defending its rights against any efforts by these self-styled heirs to seize Malaysian assets, particularly those belonging to Petronas. The legal challenges stem from a purported arbitration award issued by Gonzalo Stampa, whose appointment as arbitrator Malaysia disputes as invalid and illegal.
Allegations of Misrepresentation Before Courts and Media

Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, the minister in charge of law and institutional reform, has stated that the purported heirs and their legal counsel are actively attempting to misrepresent facts to both the media and the judicial system. This alleged distortion of truth is a central point of Malaysia's defence against the claims. While specific instances of how the truth is being distorted are not detailed, the minister’s statement indicates a pattern of conduct aimed at influencing public and judicial opinion.
Malaysia's Stance on Asset Seizure Attempts

Malaysia has not received formal notification of any new attempts by the alleged Sulu heirs to seize Petronas assets in Luxembourg, according to Azalina. This follows a previous unsuccessful attempt by the heirs to seize assets belonging to two Petronas subsidiaries in Luxembourg, which was ultimately lifted by the District Court of Luxembourg on January 24 this year. If a second seizure order does exist, Malaysia has pledged to defend its rights robustly in court to ensure it is also promptly nullified, mirroring the outcome of the first attempt.
Challenges to the Arbitration Award and Arbitrator Appointment

The basis of the Sulu heirs' claims rests on a purported arbitration award issued by Gonzalo Stampa on February 28 of the previous year. This award reportedly ordered Malaysia to pay US$14.92 billion to eight individuals claiming to be heirs of the Sulu Sultanate. However, Malaysia contests the validity of this award, citing that Stampa's appointment as an arbitrator was cancelled by the same court that initially appointed him, without giving Malaysia a hearing. Furthermore, Malaysia challenges the entire arbitration process as being invalid and illegal.
Doubts Regarding Claimant Identities and Funding

Malaysia's Foreign Affairs Ministry and Attorney-General's Chambers have also raised concerns about the identities of the eight Sulu claimants, stating that they are doubtful and unverified. Reports from the previous year indicated that the claimants included individuals such as retirees, unemployed persons, a school administrator, and a businessman. It has also been reported that the litigation funding firm Therium is financing the legal and arbitration fees for these claimants, which amount to millions of US dollars. Petronas has also maintained that the legal actions against its Luxembourg subsidiaries are baseless.

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How are alleged Sulu heirs distorting the truth in court and media?

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