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Spain top court upholds conviction of Sulu case arbitrator

centres,” he said. “The voting process will be held on a Saturday, so it will not disrupt the SPM examination.” The campaign period will run for 14 days, from Nov 15 until 11.59pm on Nov 28. Commenting on proposals to allow Sabah voters in Peninsular Malaysia to cast postal votes, Ramlan said the matter has not been finalised. “For now, Sabah voters who are not in the state will have to return home to vote.” – Bernama Penang hopeful of positive outcome in US tariff talks GEORGE TOWN: Penang is hopeful that next week’s talks on sectoral tariffs, including those involving semiconductors, between Malaysia and the US will yield a positive outcome, said Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow. He said InvestPenang has conveyed feedback from Penang’s industry players to the Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry (MITI). “We are looking forward to the upcoming Asean Summit, where US President Donald Trump is expected to attend. “We hope there will be a positive outcome in reaching an agreement on the tariffs imposed on Malaysia,” he said after delivering a speech at the “Penang Dialogue 2025: Recalibrating Malaysia” event organised by the American Malaysian Chamber of Commerce yesterday. Chow expressed confidence that the Malaysian government has been working hard to convey the country’s position, emphasising that Malaysia remains a close partner of the US. He said multinational companies operating in Penang form an integral part of the US supply chain, while several Malaysian firms have also begun investing in the US. “We hope this positive narrative will help convince the US that we can achieve a win-win solution in these negotiations,” he said. Chow added that Malaysia’s role is complementary rather than competitive to that of American companies and voiced optimism that an agreement could be reached in the coming weeks. The chief minister noted that Penang’s partnership with the US continues to play a vital role in the state’s industrial development. In the first half of 2025 alone, Penang attracted RM2.6 billion in approved manufacturing foreign direct investment (FDI) from the US, representing 81% of total US manufacturing FDI in Malaysia. He said about 120 American companies are currently operating in Penang, contributing not only capital and jobs but also technology, innovation and community development. Between January and August, Penang exported RM79 billion worth of goods to the US, accounting for 79% of Malaysia’s total electrical and electronics exports to the US. – Bernama

o Stampa’s appeal dismissed, six-month jail sentence and one-year ban from arbitration affirmed

KUALA LUMPUR: The Spanish Supreme Court has dismissed the cassation appeal filed by arbitrator Gonzalo Stampa in the Sulu claimants’ case against Malaysia, thereby upholding his conviction for contempt of court. In a statement yesterday, the Sulu Special Secretariat War Room said in a unanimous decision delivered on Oct 8 the court affirmed the six month prison sentence and one-year prohibition from acting as an arbitrator imposed by the Madrid Criminal Court on Dec 22, 2023. This ruling is final and marks the conclusion of all criminal proceedings against Stampa in Spain. According to the statement, the decision was received by the government of Malaysia yesterday. “This final judgment reaffirms that adherence to lawful orders remains the cornerstone of both justice and the integrity of dispute resolution,” 756 students join safe internet campaign in Kota Kinabalu KOTA KINABALU: A total of 756 students from Kolej Tingkatan Enam (Prauniversiti) Kota Kinabalu took part in the Safe Internet Campaign held at the college yesterday, aimed at strengthening cyber safety awareness among the younger generation. Organised by the Communications Ministry through the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), the programme was attended by Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil and sought to cultivate a culture of ethical and responsible internet use among youths. Also present were the ministry’s secretary-general Datuk Seri Mohamad Fauzi Md Isa, MCMC deputy managing director (Regulatory and Corporate) Datuk Zurkarnain Mohd Yasin and college principal Suhaibul Kassim. The campaign highlighted key cyber issues such as online scams, cyberbullying, misuse of personal

Secretariat War Room, the National Security Council and Malaysia’s international legal counsel. “The government of Malaysia reaffirms its unwavering commitment to defend Malaysia’s sovereignty, immunity and national interests against the baseless claims made in the Sulu fraud,” the statement said. Previously, eight citizens of the Philippines claiming to be heirs of the defunct Sulu sultanate filed arbitration proceedings in Spain seeking billions of dollars from Malaysia over Sabah. In March 2019, a Madrid court appointed Stampa as the arbitrator for their claims. Malaysia has since secured a series of decisive victories in the long running dispute, including favourable rulings from courts in Luxembourg, the Netherlands, France and Spain.

the statement read. Meanwhile, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said Malaysia welcomes the landmark ruling from Spain’s highest court as a definitive affirmation of the rule of law. “It demonstrates beyond doubt that the purported Sulu arbitration was the product of the unlawful and criminal conduct of a rogue arbitrator and vindicates the government of Malaysia’s consistent position that the so-called award obtained by the Sulu claimants is null and void,” she said.

The courts of Spain, France and the Netherlands have now all confirmed Malaysia’s position on the Sulu case, Bernama reported. Following the decision, the government extended its appreciation to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, the Cabinet, the Ministers of Law and Foreign Affairs, the Attorney-General and the Legal Affairs Division director-general for their unwavering support and coordination in defending Malaysia’s sovereignty and national interests throughout the complex international legal battle. It also thanked the Sulu Special

Fahmi (centre) posing with Form Six students during the campaign yesterday. – BERNAMPIC

information and the spread of fake content. Through interactive sessions, students were taught how to identify online risks, recognise scam tactics and verify the authenticity of information before sharing it. Emphasis was also placed on

practising caution and moderation on social media, including avoiding excessive disclosure of personal details to reduce data misuse and security risks. The Safe Internet Campaign reflects MCMC’s continued effort to foster a digitally literate, ethical and

secure online community, with the initiative now being actively extended to educational institutions across Sabah. As of October, a total of 4,734 educational institutions nationwide have participated in the campaign, including 434 in Sabah. – Bernama

Sabah goes to polls on Nov 29, nominations on Nov 15 KOTA KINABALU: The 17th Sabah state election will be held on Nov 29, announced the Election Commission (EC) yesterday. centres with 87 streams. “The state election will require an estimated allocation of RM116.8 million,” he said. Ramlan said the

On Oct 6, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor announced the dissolution of the Sabah State Legislative Assembly to pave the way for the state election. The assembly comprises 79 seats – 73 elected and six appointed members. Ramlan said the EC will mobilise 33,000 personnel to facilitate the election. A total of 940 polling centres with 3,645 voting streams will be used, including 882 regular polling centres with 3,558 streams and 58 early voting

August Supplementary Electoral Roll – updated up to Oct 5 – will be used, involving 1,784,843 voters comprising 1,760,417 ordinary voters, 11,697 military personnel and spouses, and 12,729 police personnel and spouses. He gave an assurance that the state election on Nov 29 will not disrupt the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia examination, which begins on Nov 25. “All logistical aspects have been taken into account to avoid overlap between polling and examination

EC chairman Datuk Seri Ramlan Harun said nomination will be on Nov 15 and early voting on Nov 25. “A total of 1,784,843 eligible voters will carry out their responsibilities in the 17th Sabah state election,” he said at a press conference after chairing a special meeting for the polls at the Sabah Federal Government Administrative Complex.

The EC will appoint 25 returning officers with the support of 196 assistant returning officers and 86 election campaign enforcement teams comprising police, local authorities and candidates’ representatives to monitor campaigning throughout the campaign period. A total of 25 nomination and vote tallying centres will also be used.