Head attorney for the Sulu claimants, Paul Cohen.

Source: (2023, September 5). Inside Malaysia’s $15bn battle with the lost Sultanate of Sulu. Nikkei Asia. https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/The-Big-Story/Inside-Malaysia-s-15bn-battle-with-the-lost-Sultanate-of-Sulu

Photo Credit: 4-5 Gray’s Inn Square

Over the past two years, Muedzul has personally shared numerous articles and professional images of Cohen, even going so far as to write an official “Letter of Gratitude” to “the seven lawyers,” including Cohen, Mason, and Cremades, praising their “wonderful job” in the Arbitration Court of Paris. This admiration is hardly surprising, given how far Cohen has propelled the Sultanate heirs in their pursuit of what other legal experts have dubbed the “Sulu Fraud.” However, what stands out now is Cohen’s apparent ambition to become more extreme and the Sultan’s uncritical backing.

Cohen has interpreted a French court ruling as effectively declaring “open season on Sabah,” suggesting that competitive nations could negotiate for rights to the contested Sulu-Malaysian territory. Countries like China, the Philippines, and Brunei, each with fleeting historical claims to the region, could potentially be drawn into this complex geopolitical game. Such a move is undeniably radical, carrying significant implications not only for the Sulu people and Malaysia but also for the stability of the broader region—and possibly beyond.

Meanwhile, Sultan Muedzul has been making like-minded moves of his own. Recently, he traveled to China on what appears to be a business trip, ostensibly to establish connections and seek support from “distinguished persons” (in his own words) for a potential Sabah lease with China. This marks a striking departure from his previous stance. Muedzul once claimed that his family used the rent payments from North Borneo to purchase plates, treating the payments as symbolic rather than utilitarian. “We didn’t use it to buy food or anything consumable because it’s a symbol of the sultanate’s ownership of North Borneo,” he explained. Now, however, it seems that the Sultan has reevaluated his perspective on national heritage and symbolism, joining Cohen in what appears to be a shopping spree for influence and power.

This shift raises questions about Muedzul’s financial situation. Just last year, he lamented to Nikkei that he was “cash-strapped” and struggling to “hardly afford food and cigarettes for his guards.” Nikkei’s reporting painted a modest picture of the Sultan living in a “humble” yellow bungalow with his wife and seven children. Muedzul described his circumstances with frustration, stating, “The only property that was left to me were the ruins of the royal palace.” How, then, has he suddenly managed to afford international travel and accommodations at the Hilton Foshan, where nightly rates can reach $1,025? One plausible explanation is financial backing from Cohen or another foreign sponsor.

Sultan Muedzul, second from right, with his council.

Photo credit: Nickee Butlangan; Source: (2023, September 5). Inside Malaysia’s $15bn battle with the lost Sultanate of Sulu. Nikkei Asia. https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/The-Big-Story/Inside-Malaysia-s-15bn-battle-with-the-lost-Sultanate-of-Sulu

Adding to the contradictions, Muedzul previously likened his situation to “house arrest,” claiming that ongoing legal proceedings in Europe prevented him from traveling and left him gaining weight from inactivity. Yet China is a long way from his “Jolo bungalow,” signaling a dramatic change in his circumstances. His reported eagerness to “find a solution now” suggests a sense of urgency, perhaps even desperation, as he navigates the complex web of international diplomacy and territorial claims as well as apparent new-found money.

Muedzul’s actions could carry dangerous consequences for himself and his homeland, which he now seems more than happy to sell out in exchange for a more extravagant lifestyle. For a man who once claimed to refuse using remunerations for groceries out of respect for national honor, it has become increasingly clear that the Sultan’s priorities have shifted and he is enjoying the high life at the expense of others. But what then of his national honor?

REFERENCES

Andres, L. (2024, November 12). 'Heirs' now free to lease Sabah to China says lawyer. NST Online. https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2024/11/1133203/heirs-now-free-lease-sabah-china-philippines-says-lawyer#google_vignette

Booking.com. (2025, January 23). Nightly Rates at Hilton Foshan | Booking.com. https://rb.gy/2ol0r4

(2023, September 5). Inside Malaysia’s $15bn battle with the lost Sultanate of Sulu. Nikkei Asia. https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/The-Big-Story/Inside-Malaysia-s-15bn-battle-with-the-lost-Sultanate-of-Sulu