Sulu sultanate believes Noy, Brunei sultan discussed Sabah

MANILA, Philippines - The Sultanate of Sulu is now considering sending a delegation from the sultanate’s Council to Brunei to talk with Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah.

Bolkiah left Manila and returned to Brunei after a two-day state visit with Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III failing to have an audience with him to discuss the Sabah standoff.

“We will continue to write the Sultan of Brunei as his country now heads the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. We will try to send a three-man from the council of Sultan Jamalul Kiram to meet with the members of the Sultan of Brunei’s council,” said Abraham Idjirani, spokesman for the Sultanate of Sulu.

Idjirani said the sultanate would most likely raise the funds needed for the delegation’s trip to Brunei. The delegation is expected to be in Brunei for at least three days.

“We are considering sending a delegation to Brunei but we are present financially handicapped. This is an idea under consideration,” Idjirani added.

Meanwhile, Idjirani is convinced that despite the denial of Malacañang, issues related to Sabah were discussed between Bolkiah and President Benigno Aquino III.

“We do not believe that. The Philippines and Malaysia surely have discussed issues involving Sabah and the Philippines but these (discussions) were most likely done on a one-on-one basis between Sultan Bolkiah and President Aquino,” said Idjirani.
                                                                               
Idjirani said Aquino would have most likely explained to Bolkiah his government’s position on Sabah, particularly on the impression that he favored the Malaysian government over the Sultanate of Sulu on the standoff issue.

The Sultanate of Sulu earlier lashed at Malacañang for “preempting” the decision of  Sultan Bolkiah on the request of Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III to have an audience with him.

Malacañang had earlier announced that Bolkiah will not be able to meet Sulu Kiram III as the Brunei sultan has already a full schedule on his state visit.

“The schedule is quite tight. I don’t see any opportunity for that – or, at least, for the visit of the Sultan here,” said Palace deputy spokesperson Abegail Valte over state-run radio dzRB.

The Sultanate of Sulu had earlier expressed hope that Bolkiah’s visit will help in the peaceful resolution of the Sabah standoff. The sultanate sent a letter to the embassy of Brunei, requesting for a meeting with Bolkiah.