THE State Government should stop paying the RM5,000 cession money to the Sultan Sulu descendants, said Tamparuli assemblyman Datuk Wilfred Bumburing.
He said it would send a strong message that the State Government does not recognise their longstanding claim over Sabah.
“If we continue paying, it would mean that we still recognise their claim,” he said when debating on Head of State Tun Juhar Mahiruddin’s policy speech.
While urging the people to stay united, Bumburing said both federal and state governments should reject the claim made by the Sultan Sulu descendants and file a petition at the International Court of Justice over their so-called claim.
“Like anybody else in the state, I too want to see this matter resolved because until it is all over, we will not feel safe and free,” he said.
He also said that the recent standoff in Kampung Tanduo, Lahad Datu, which was the brainchild of Datu Agbimuddin Datu Kiram and Jamalul Kiram, had changed Sabah’s whole landscape from being a safe and peaceful state.
“The only surprise here is that their movements were not detected earlier. What happened to our Intelligence? Did they come individually or in groups? Why did it take the government three weeks before taking action against these armed men? Was there any negotiation done? Is it true that they possess Malaysian identification cards?” Bumburing asked.
Having said that, he also expressed sorrow for family members of the fallen heroes who perished during the month-long standoff against the Filipino gunmen.
“To honour their sacrifices, I propose that a monument should be erected so the people, especially their family members, can come to pay their respects to these fallen heroes. They will be remembered forever,” he said.