The Malaysian Bar welcomes the decision of the Paris Court of Appeal (“Paris Court”), which has fully annulled the purported “Final Award” of USD$14.9 billion in favour of the so-called heirs of the defunct Sultanate of Sulu. In its judgment, the Paris Court found that the arbitrator lacked jurisdiction to issue the award, as there was no valid arbitration agreement binding Malaysia to it. The Paris Court thereby ordered the claimants to pay Malaysia’s legal costs.1
This ruling represents a landmark affirmation of our national sovereignty. The dispute stemmed from a colonial-era agreement whose interpretation the claimants sought to leverage on to impose massive financial and territorial claims against Malaysia. The annulment of the award reaffirms that sovereign rights cannot be subverted through extraterritorial arbitration that lacks proper legal foundation. With this ruling, the Paris Court has upheld the principle that the integrity of a sovereign State cannot be subjected to unauthorised private litigation or speculative claims by foreign-based parties.2
The Malaysian Bar commends the Government of Malaysia, and in particular the dedicated efforts of the relevant agencies, including the War Room of the Special Secretariat on the Sulu Case, for their steadfast defence of the nation’s interests and sovereignty. We also recognise the vital role played by the Attorney General’s Chambers, the Legal Affairs Division of the Prime Minister’s Department, and all other government agencies, in bringing this matter to a conclusive and just end.3
This outcome not only protects Malaysia’s territorial integrity and national dignity, but also sets an important precedent against abusive and baseless claims over state sovereignty. The Malaysian Bar thanks the Government and the civil servants, lawyers, and institutions involved for their unwavering commitment to upholding the rule of law and defending the nation’s sovereignty.
Mohamad Ezri b Abdul Wahab
President
Malaysian Bar
11 December 2025
1 “Sulu Case: Paris Court Decision a Major Victory for Malaysia – Azalina”, Bernama, 10 December 2025.
2 “Sulu case is now history, claimants owe Malaysia nearly RM1mil”, The Star, 11 December 2025.
3 “Malaysia wins again as French court junks Sulu claimants’ US$14.9b award, govt says this ends ‘extortion’ bid”, Malay Mail, 10 December 2025.