Luxembourg court set aside attachment order requested by Sulu 'heir', says Azalina

A court in Luxembourg set aside an attachment order applied for by an individual claiming to be an "heir" of the Sulu group on Jan 24, says Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Azalina Othman Said.

She said the July 11, 2022 attachment order set aside was requested based on two purported arbitral awards issued by an illegally appointed arbitrator, Stampa, who is said to have awarded the claimant an amount of US$14.92 billion (RM63.34 billion).

"Malaysia has consistently objected to the alleged arbitration proceedings planned by the claimant.

"Malaysia has taken all available legal actions to revoke the appointment of Stampa and the said award," she said in a statement.

Azalina said as a result of Malaysia's actions, the Spanish court that appointed Stampa retrospectively cancelled his appointment and the "preliminary award" that he had issued in Madrid.
 
The French court has suspended the enforcement of the "final award" said to have been issued by Stampa in France pending the court's decision on Malaysia's application to set it aside.

"Malaysia had immediately applied to the Luxembourg court to obtain interim relief to set aside the attachment order.

"The hearing for the application took place on Dec 5, 2022 before the Luxembourg court judge who later set aside the attachment order," Azalina said.

Azalina said the decision of the Luxembourg court justified the government's policy to defend Malaysia in any forum, to ensure that the country's interests, sovereignty immunity and sovereignty are protected and preserved at all times.

She said in this regard, the government would continue striving to stop all claims against Malaysia.