Kota Kinabalu: Borneo’s Plight in Malaysia Foundation (BoPiMaFo) raised the alarm over the Philippines’ extended continental shelf claim and warned that Sabah’s territory, maritime jurisdiction and vast natural resources are at stake.
The group demanded Putrajaya to break its silence and come clean on exactly what Malaysia is doing to defend Sabah’s interests.
BoPiMaFo President Daniel John Jambun expressed full support for former Chief Minister Datuk Yong Teck Lee, who urged the Federal Government to speak up on the matter.
“This is no routine diplomatic issue: it strikes directly at Sabah’s territorial integrity, sovereign rights and the heritage of future generations.”Last June 14, the Philippines lodged a partial submission with the United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS) claiming continental shelf rights beyond 200 nautical miles in the West Palawan Region, acting under Article 76(8) of UNCLOS.
The submission raised fears that areas tied to Sabah’s coastline could be affected — yet Sabahans remain entirely in the dark.
BoPiMaFo fired seven pointed questions at Putrajaya:What precise coordinates are being claimed?Does any part overlap areas Malaysia asserts from Sabah?Has Malaysia formally filed a protest or objection?Are secret talks underway with Manila?Has the Sabah Government been consulted or even briefed?What oil, gas, minerals and fisheries could be compromised?What legal and diplomatic steps are being taken to protect Sabah?“Foreign affairs may be a federal responsibility,” BoPiMaFo stressed, “but the land, seas and resources at risk belong to Sabah — not Putrajaya. Sabahans are entitled to answers, not silence.”
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