Kota Kinabalu: The Philippines’ and its Sulu claim on Sabah will likely continue short of a resolution by the ICJ if both the Philippines and Malaysia mutually consent to respect its definitive decision, like in the case of Sipadan and Ligitan Islands between Malaysia and Indonesia.

“There are number of things that a country can do in a situation like this, to put a stop to other countries claiming a part of its territory (Sabah claim and Sulu Arbitration case),” said Robert Volterra, an online panel speaker at the International Arbitration Colloquium 2023, themed “State Sovereignty and Immunity in Commercial Arbitration” at the Sabah International Convention Centre on July 4.

Volterra is a University of London visiting Professor of International Law and partner of Messrs Volterra Fietta, based in London, specializing in international law with experience at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the International Criminal Court and other global courts.