Malaysia Welcomes Dismissal Decision By Hague Court Of Appeal

The Malaysian government has welcomed the Hague Court of Appeal’s decision to dismiss a bid by eight descendants of a former sultan to enforce a $15 billion arbitration award they had won against the government of Malaysia.

While describing this as a landmark victory, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the decision would block any attempt by the claimants to enforce their illegitimate claims against the Malaysian government in the Netherlands.

“This verdict in The Hague Court of Appeal is another landmark victory for Malaysia following the Paris Court of Appeal’s decision on June 6.

“The Malaysian government is confident we are now closer than ever to completely nullifying the sham and abusive final award amounting to approximately US$15 billion issued by Dr. Gonzalo Stampa, thus consigning the claimants’ flawed claims to history.

“Malaysia trusts that today’s decision of The Hague Court of Appeal, combined with the recent decision of the Paris Court of Appeal, will put an end to the frivolous attempts of the claimants to enforce the purported final award in other jurisdictions,” he said.

He said the government would stop at nothing to protect the country’s sovereignty, national security, and national interest.

“The Sulu case demonstrates a grave violation of Malaysia’s sovereign immunity, which matters to every citizen of Malaysia Madani.”

Mr.Anwar pledged that the government would spare no effort and fight by any means necessary against such flagrant exploitation and abuse of the international arbitral system.

REUTERS/Christopher Ojilere