Sabah – The Diplomat

Bajau: The Vanishing Seafarers of Southeast Asia

Claudio Sieber — Thu, 08 Jun 2023 03:04:00 +0900

Today, only 100-200 seafarers remain on traditional "Lansa" houseboats near Borneo’s shorelines.

Malaysia Wins Court Battle Over $15 Billion Sulu Heirs Award

Sebastian Strangio — Wed, 07 Jun 2023 06:22:00 +0900

The ruling by the French Court of Appeal questioned the jurisdiction of Spanish arbitrator Gustavo Stampa, who ordered last year's eye-watering payout.

Sovereignty, Forum Shopping, and the Case of the Sulu Sultanate’s Heirs

Karisma Putera Abd Rahman and Fikry A. Rahman — Wed, 30 Nov 2022 10:00:00 +0900

A French court's recent extortionate $15 billion commercial arbitration ruling against the Malaysian government has set a dangerous precedent.

Philippine Senator Tackles Long-Standing Sabah Claim

Mong Palatino — Mon, 15 Aug 2022 10:37:00 +0900

A recent French court ruling has pushed the territorial dispute back onto the country's political agenda.

Sulu Heirs’ Seizure of Petronas Assets Another Headache for Malaysia

Imran Said — Fri, 29 Jul 2022 09:14:00 +0900

An audacious legal claim by the heirs of a long-vanished sultanate has awakened a dormant dispute over the Malaysian state of Sabah.

Reexamining East Malaysian Security in an Age of Growing Threats

Karisma Putera Abd Rahman and Fikry A. Rahman — Thu, 07 Jul 2022 10:35:00 +0900

Non-traditional security threats, such as kidnapping, crossborder terrorist infiltration, and illegal migration, call for renewed attention to the country's Bornean provinces.

James Chin on MA63 and the Return of State Nationalism in Malaysia

Sebastian Strangio — Tue, 25 May 2021 10:26:00 +0900

Calls for increased autonomy for Sabah and Sarawak are once again on the agenda in Malaysian politics.

Malaysian Cabotage Policy Agitates Old Wounds in the Country’s East

Tharishini Krishnan — Fri, 07 May 2021 11:21:00 +0900

Malaysia's burdensome maritime regulations have put the question of autonomy for Sabah and Sarawak back on the agenda.

State Poll Win Boosts Malaysian PM Muhyiddin

Sebastian Strangio — Mon, 28 Sep 2020 10:00:00 +0900

The unexpected victory in Sabah state in eastern Malaysia gives the ruling Perikatan Nasional some much-needed breathing room.

Sabah Heads to the Polls for Snap State Election

James Chin — Fri, 25 Sep 2020 15:22:00 +0900

In addition to the perennial question of regional autonomy, the result could play into the ongoing political turmoil in Kuala Lumpur.

The UMNO’s Brewing Civil War

Prashant Waikar — Wed, 29 Apr 2020 20:44:00 +0900

What’s behind UMNO president Zahid’s letter to Prime Minister Muhyiddin?

The Forgotten Key to Maritime Security in the Sulu-Celebes Seas

Jay Benson — Thu, 21 Mar 2019 21:52:00 +0900

Economic development in coastal communities will help stem the flow of illegal behavior.

Najib Scandal Links in Focus with Ex-Sabah Chief Minister Charges

Luke Hunt — Tue, 12 Mar 2019 05:36:00 +0900

The charges against Musa Aman announced last week are just part of the ongoing scrutiny around Najib and his allies in a New Malaysia.

Malaysia's New Political Tsunami

Michio Ueda — Sat, 12 May 2018 05:58:00 +0900

What led to the historic election result -- and where does Malaysia go from here?

Malaysia Spotlights Expanded Sulu Sea Trilateral Patrols

Prashanth Parameswaran — Thu, 19 Apr 2018 02:54:00 +0900

The Southeast Asian state has called for a widening of collaboration this front in recognition of the challenges it faces and the opportunities before it.

Eastern Sabah: Malaysia’s Frontline Against Militancy

Michael Hart — Wed, 31 Jan 2018 23:10:00 +0900

A bolstered security architecture in Sabah and its surrounding waters is having an impact.

Will Malaysia Host US Spy Planes?

Shannon Tiezzi — Tue, 16 Sep 2014 00:15:00 +0900

Adm. Jonathan Greenert indicated that Malaysia offered to host U.S. spy planes.

Bangsamoro Peace Deal for Mindanao: Where’s the Peace?

Paula Defensor Knack — Wed, 09 Apr 2014 08:40:00 +0900

Hailed as a historic agreement, the latest deal with the MILF has some serious problems.

Sultanate Warns Fresh Conflict in Sabah Possible

Luke Hunt — Fri, 24 Jan 2014 15:36:00 +0900

Last year’s violence may be repeated if Esmail Kiram II sends troops across the border.

Bad Neighbors and Evil Foreigners in Southeast Asia

Wed, 10 Jul 2013 15:03:48 +0900

Southeast Asian nations continue to play the blame game, even as ASEAN moves ahead with integration.

Sabah and the War of Meanings

Mon, 25 Mar 2013 18:24:55 +0900

Fighting in Sabah may have ended, but the war of meanings surrounding the Sulu Sultan’s claims is ongoing.

Global Witness Video Exposes Alleged Corruption in Sarawak

Thu, 21 Mar 2013 18:01:51 +0900

NGO Global Witness has captured evidence of possible corruption in Sarawak’s logging industry.

Filipinos Look to the UN, ASEAN for Help in Sabah

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 07:30:09 +0900

The crisis in Sabah is long from over, but for the moment efforts should shift to humanitarian concerns.

Conspiracy Theories Surround Violence in Sabah

Wed, 06 Mar 2013 18:46:22 +0900

Conspiracy allegations have been made regarding the Sulu Sultan’s siege in Sabah.

Sabah Insurgency: A Political Bonus for PM Najib Razak

Tue, 05 Mar 2013 18:52:07 +0900

A tricky situation offers a possible electoral out for the Malaysian prime minister.

Fighting and Fallout in Sabah

Tue, 05 Mar 2013 18:37:11 +0900

Violence has escalated on Sabah, where the Sultan of Sulu and his troops remain firm in their demands.

Anwar Ibrahim Unveils Election Pledges

Wed, 27 Feb 2013 17:02:15 +0900

Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim has announced his manifesto for Malaysia’s upcoming elections.

A Filipino Standoff in Malaysia

Fri, 15 Feb 2013 17:59:44 +0900

About 100 Philippine militants have washed up on the shores of Malaysia’s eastern state of Sabah.

Saving Malaysia’s Last Great Rainforests

Tue, 12 Feb 2013 04:26:20 +0900

Malaysia’ officials wage a war of words over the country’s rainforests. Will politics save them?