PETALING JAYA: Several ministers including Members of Parliament were seen arriving at Seri Pacific Hotel in Kuala Lumpur to attend a closed- door briefing on the claims by the self-proclaimed heirs of the Sulu sultanate.
Among those spotted was Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law) Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar.
It is understood that the meeting started at 8.45pm Thursday (July 21), Astro Awani reported.
Also spotted were Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Abdullah, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Economy) Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed and Energy and Natural Resources Minister Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan.
Police personnel were also seen patrolling the area.
It was reported that Kulai MP Teo Nie Ching told the press at Parliament’s lobby today that three ministers (Wan Junaidi, Saifuddin and Mustapa) would provide clarification during the briefing, adding that the invitation letters that were sent to the MPs bore the Official Secrets Act stamp.
From the Opposition bloc, the MPs present included Semporna MP Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal , Sepanggar MP Datuk Mohd Azis Jamman, Seputeh MP Teresa Kok and Segambut MP Hannah Yeoh,
Jerlun MP Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir, Beruas MP Ngeh Koo Ham, and Bachok MP Nik Abduh Nik Abdul Aziz.
All ministers and MPs who participated in the briefing were also seen placing their mobile phones at the front counter.
It is understood that the staff in charge of the counter is a staff member from the Legal Affairs Division from the Prime Minister’s Department.
So far, no statements have been issued by the ministers and MPs present.
The British-based Financial Times reported that the so-called Sulu heirs had invoked the Paris arbitration court decision to award RM63bil to them.
The eight Sulu heirs based in the Philippines were represented by London-based lawyers led by Elisabeth Mason.
Financial Times, quoting lawyers for the group, said bailiffs in Luxembourg had seized Luxembourg-registered subsidiaries PETRONAS Azerbaijan (Shah Deniz) and PETRONAS South Caucasus on behalf of their clients.
The next day, Wan Junaidi issued a statement to say that Malaysia had obtained a stay order on the RM63bil award