Would Tommy Thomas still have offered RM48,000 arrears to Sulu claimants?

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Tommy Thomas Confirms Offer of RM48,000 Arrears Would Still Have Been Made to Sulu Claimants

Former attorney general Tan Sri Tommy Thomas has stated that he would have proceeded with offering the Sulu "heirs" RM48,000 in arrears, even with full knowledge of the subsequent developments. Thomas maintains that Malaysia possesses a legal obligation to make these payments, an obligation he believes has existed since 1963. This stance is based on the historical context of an 1878 agreement under which Malaysia paid an annual stipend to the Sulu Sultanate.
Historical Payment and Cessation

Malaysia had been making annual payments of RM5,300 to the Sulu Sultanate, a practice rooted in an 1878 agreement. This arrangement continued until 2013, when the payments were halted. The cessation of these payments coincided with the same year that an armed group, identifying as the Sultanate's royal forces, entered Lahad Datu in Sabah.
Offer of Arrears and Rejection

In 2019, during his tenure as attorney general, Thomas penned a letter to the claimants. This correspondence conveyed the Malaysian government's willingness to settle the outstanding arrears, amounting to RM48,000, for the period since 2013. However, this offer was ultimately rejected by the Sulu heirs.
Consequence of the Letter

The letter penned by Thomas was subsequently utilised by the legal representatives of the Sulu heirs. They presented it as evidence of Malaysia's acknowledgement of the claimants' purported rights. This action gained significant public attention following a Spanish Arbitrator's order in February 2022, mandating Malaysia to pay US$14.9 billion, which led to the seizure of Petronas assets in Luxembourg.

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Would Tommy Thomas still have offered RM48,000 arrears to Sulu claimants?

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