Malaysia will send a diplomatic note to the Philippines to formally reject its claim to the state of Sabah, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan stated. The announcement was made on March 28, 2026, in Rembau.
Mohamad Hasan emphasized that Sabah has been part of the Malaysian federation for decades and its status is not open for discussion. The diplomatic note is a formal step to reiterate Malaysia's position on the long-standing territorial dispute.
The Philippines' claim to Sabah, based on historical agreements with the Sultanate of Sulu, has been a recurring point of tension between the two Southeast Asian nations. Malaysia maintains that the people of Sabah exercised their right to self-determination when they joined the federation in 1963.
Analysts view the move as a standard diplomatic reaffirmation of Malaysia's sovereignty. The action follows recent statements from Philippine officials that have referenced the claim, prompting Malaysia to issue a formal rebuttal.
