Hist SBQ SEA

Sabah Dispute - Not a simple matter of territorial sovereignty, but had larger political and religious implications - Both nations are still ideologically aligned (Pro-West and Anti-Communist) - Alleged Malaysian Support for Moro Muslim rebels in Southern Philippines and influx of refugees and illegal immigrants into Sabah - Cobbold commission rejected by both Indonesia and Philippines,regardless, malaysia ignored their reactions - 1963 Malaysia Agreement incorporated North Borneo into its territory - Philippines reacted in consternation: rejected the unilateral move made by Malaysia and yet they managed to find an amicable agreement through the Manila accords- 31 July 1963 - UN report established that a large majority of the population favoured joining the malayan republic - Philippines claim rest entirely on Sultanate of Sulu - deemed to be precursors to the british - maintained position that it would inherited sovereignty over north borneo despite 1930 anglo-american treaty - Claim was not pursued till 1962 - Macangpal used it to have a PR win after stonehill corruption scandal - political tool used to further own agenda - Malayan perspective: Sabah critical to security against Indonesia - Communism spreading: Sabah a useful buffer and affronted Malayan Sovereignty - Developed precarious relationship - Malaysia wanted to maintain authority and ensure national unity - 1968 - year of tensions - Mar 1968: Corregidor affair - revealed training for guerilla war - June 1968: Philippines congress resolution - delineate boundaries to include Sabah,signed off by Marcos - July 1968 - Malaysians walk out from negotiations - Only in july 1977 did there come a resumption of bilateral ties - once they recognised sabah as part of malaysia through the acceptance with the change of leadership - Willing to sideline the issue in hopes of economic cooperation and other benefits - YET, Marcos offer for indirect resolution was rejected by Mahathir - Insisted that the claim was not a matter for negotiation and that the philippines needs to formally renounce its claim - Reports emerged of malaysian support for MNLF insurgents in the philippines - indirectly undermining their govt - Malaysia being sympathetic, - Only with Tripoli agreement of 1976, outlined libyan agreement to terminate support for MNLF which was done via Malaysia - Conflict’s political use for Leader’s personal animosity - Mutual antagonism between Macangpal and Tunku - ambitions to assert regional dominance and leadership