Khoo adduced that we have inherited past agreements made on Sabah signed by different colonial powers with the then sultan of Sulu in the 1800s.
Where Sabah is today in relationship to Malaysia cannot be disputed in any way, as these agreements were deemed unchangeable, undisputed by international law and which were adhered to by the different powers controlling Sabah before it joined Malaysia.
The historical truth is that Sabah has gone through a number of "foreign transactions". In 1963, with the formation of Malaysia, it agreed to join the federation.
The people of Sabah were given the opportunity to voice their rights on whether to join the federation. That decision should be respected.
Even the international community and the United Nations, in particular, have given due recognition to Sabah as a state within the nationhood of Malaysia.
The claim on Sabah was played up by Ferdinand Marcos, which created a cold relationship on both sides for a number of years.
And, it is sad that this time, armed men came from southern Philippines to kill and stake their claim on behalf of the sultan of Sulu. It is a grave mistake that may cost more lives unless these terrorists surrender unconditionally.
If this episode should end with no more blood spilled, Malaysia and the Philippines must come together to put the claim to rest.
The Philippine government and Filipinos ought to understand that Sabah's historical fact and status in the 21st century cannot be altered under any international law nor can agreements signed by parties in the past be undone.
To move our nations forward progressively and strategically in the spirit of Asean, both governments have to act responsibly, politically and economically.
The time is ripe to end the contentious issue now.
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