Datu Omar Ali Datu Bachtiyal, 64, says he was approached in 2008 or 2009 by Esmail Kiram II (who claimed to be the Sultan of Sulu) to join in the fight to claim Sabah from Malaysia.

However, Omar said he refused the offer. He said he was shocked that the group with Esmail went ahead with the plan several years later.

On Feb 11, 2013, a group of 100 Sulu terrorists from southern Philippines landed on the beach at Kampung Tanduo in Lahad Datu. A bloody battle took place with Malaysian security forces.

At least 68 Sulu terrorists were shot dead, while 10 members of the security forces were also killed.

Omar’s son, Datu Mohd Fadli Fathullah, 36, claimed he had contacted Esmail in 2009 to ask him not to go ahead with the planned Kampung Tanduo incursion, but his request was ignored.

“He told us to join them and not to interfere. He then ended the call and that was the last I was in touch with him.”

Esmail died in 2015.

A group of nine people claiming to be descendants of the Sulu sultan secured an arbitration award against Malaysia last year with the government held liable to pay US$15 billion (RM63 billion) as compensation for the cession of Sabah.

Malaysia has challenged the order in France and Spain. A French court granted a stay order on the award, pending a decision on Malaysia’s claim that the order infringed its sovereignty over Sabah.

A Spanish court last week annulled the appointment of the arbitrator who had granted the US$15 billion award.