The Sulu heirs, descendants of a defunct sultanate, have spent six years in international arbitration pursuing a $32 billion claim—an amount exceeding one-third of Malaysia’s annual budget. Image Source: Adobe Stock - Roman R.

Known as the “Sulu heirs” or the “Sulu claimants,” Fuad A. Kiram, Nurhima Kiram Fornan, Sheramar T. Kiram, Permaisuli Kiram-Guerzon, Taj-Mahal Kiram-Tarsum Nuqui, Ahmad Nazard Kiram Sampang (deceased), Jenny K.A. Sampang, and Widz-Raunda Kiram Sampang filed an arbitration case against Malaysia in 2019, seeking as much as $32 billion in compensation over historical claims to Sabah. They asserted descent from Sultan Jamalul Kiram II of Sulu, who died in 1936 without male heirs, leaving a legacy of contested succession that continues to divide branches of the royal family to this day. Although a Spanish arbitrator awarded them the $14.9 billion of the $32 billion requested in 2022, the decision was ultimately annulled by the French courts in 2024 after multiple legal challenges.

Despite the magnitude of their legal claim—more than a third of Malaysia’s national budget—these heirs are far from public figures

Despite the magnitude of their legal claim—more than a third of Malaysia’s national budget—these heirs are far from public figures. None hold public office in Sulu, lead community initiatives, or publicly advocate for the region. Several do not even reside there. For individuals asserting royal lineage and entitlement to vast wealth, their sustained silence is striking.

That silence is not merely a personal choice—it signals something deeper. The psychology of quietly demanding a sum representing over a third of Malaysia’s national budget reveals a sense of entitlement detached from accountability. A payout of that scale would have devastated Malaysia’s economy and strained public services across Sabah, home to many indigenous communities. The ambition behind the claim seems rooted less in justice than in extraction, less in heritage than in opportunism.

The Sulu Heirs: A Network of Kinship, Silence, and Self-Interest

The eight claimants base their argument on being descendants of Sultan Jamalul Kiram II’s nine designated heirs—a network of relatives spanning generations and geography. Fuad A. Kiram, the most prominent among them, is widely believed to have led the arbitration process. The other claimants appear to have appointed him to act on their behalf, possibly through a power of attorney or another legal arrangement—such as a written authority, private mandate, or notarized agreement—authorizing him to represent their collective interests.

This delegation likely stems from Fuad’s legal linkage to the 1939 Macaskie ruling—a British High Court decision that recognized nine specific heirs of the Sultanate, including Fuad’s forebears, as entitled to lease payments from North Borneo. Although Fuad was not yet born at the time, his eligibility flows through that lineage. The ruling has since served as a foundational reference in determining the arbitration shares, helping to establish which family branches were eligible and how percentages were distributed. Fuad’s lineage placed him in a position to receive one of the largest entitlements, giving him both a stronger legal footing and a more substantial financial interest in the outcome.

Fuad, a self-proclaimed sultan, appears to have leveraged both his royal title and the legal authority inferred from the Macaskie ruling to assert himself as head of the group. With a potential payout exceeding 20%, he had strong personal incentive to initiate, lead, and aggressively pursue the arbitration.

Fuad appears to have leveraged both his royal title and the legal authority inferred from the Macaskie ruling to assert himself as head of the group

However, Fuad is a deeply divisive figure. He was designated a terrorist by Malaysia for promoting separatism and destabilizing the region, particularly due to his role in the 2013 Lahad Datu incursion. That designation casts a long shadow over the credibility of the claim and complicates efforts to portray it as a neutral appeal to historical justice.

Sheramar T. Kiram (b. 1968), age 56, is a school administrator and the daughter of self-proclaimed Sultan Jamalul Kiram III. She is also the half-sister to Princess Jacel Kiram. Likely raised in Manila, she represents a branch of the family that remains geographically removed from the former Sultanate. She has also remained virtually invisible in public discourse.

Ahmad Nazard Kiram Sampang (1954–2023), who passed away in May 2023 at the age of 68, was a retiree. His sibling, Widz-Raunda Kiram Sampang (b. 1952), a 73-year-old businessman, inherited their combined share—8.32% of the now-defunct arbitration claim. Jenny K.A. Sampang (b. 1971), age 54, is listed as a housewife and also appears to be part of this same family subgroup, though she remains entirely absent from public view.

Permaisuli Kiram-Guerzon (b. 1957), age 67, and Nurhima Kiram Fornan (b. 1952), age 72, complete the list. Both are listed as unemployed in court documents and, like most of their peers, are known only through legal filings and have issued no public statements.

Only one figure among the eight, Taj-Mahal Kiram-Tarsum Nuqui (b. 1948), now 76 years old, has a verifiable record of public service. She was the first Muslim woman to serve in the Philippine Air Force, retiring as a colonel in 1998. Though she has also been credited with administering two major portions of the royal estate, that role was familial, not civic. Her past as a state servant sits uncomfortably beside her current position as a private litigant in a foreign-funded claim against another sovereign nation. The contradiction is all the more stark given recent developments: in March 2025, the Philippine government reignited its official claim to Sabah with a diplomatic note to the United Nations, reaffirming its stance against both Malaysia and the Sulu heirs. Once a servant of the Philippine state, Taj-Mahal now supports a dynastic claim that stands in tension with her country’s foreign policy—and arguably against the interests of the people of Sabah, who have repeatedly voted to remain part of Malaysia. This alignment raises clear questions of loyalty: to the republic she once served, to a people she claims to represent in Sabah, or to personal gain. Her involvement lends a veneer of legitimacy to a case clouded by political and ethical controversy.

Are they avoiding scrutiny, are they completely uninterested in the people they allege to represent, or are they protecting a narrow claim from potential challenges by rival branches of the Kiram family?

The group’s silence speaks volumes. No press conferences. No outreach to the Tausug community. No roadmap for what the billions of dollars would mean for Sulu—a province burdened by poverty and conflict. Their absence from community life raises questions about motive. Are they avoiding scrutiny, are they completely uninterested in the people they allege to represent, or are they protecting a narrow claim from potential challenges by rival branches of the Kiram family?

Notably absent from the arbitration are Sultan Muedzul Lail Tan Kiram, who lives in Sulu and maintains a visible role in local affairs, and Sultan Phugdalun Kiram II, a former teacher and community sports referee who resides in Jolo, Sulu—closer to the people he claims to represent than nearly any of the official claimants. Both are recognized by different factions of the royal lineage. Their exclusion suggests that the chosen eight may have acted strategically to consolidate financial power within a limited circle, bypassing rivals and critics alike.

A Legal Battle Fueled by Outsiders

This was never just a historical grievance—it became a billion-dollar legal campaign.

The arbitration was initiated not by the claimants themselves, but by outside lawyers and funders. Lawyer Paul Cohen and litigation finance firm Therium shaped the legal strategy and covered the costs. The heirs provided the royal narrative; the outsiders provided the tools.

Had they prevailed, the outcome might have done little for Sulu. The award could have been lost to legal fees, internal disputes, or worse—funneled into causes that deepened regional instability. Fuad Kiram’s terrorist designation raises legitimate concerns that a portion of the payout might have fueled extremist activity. Instead of empowering Tausug communities, the funds might have enriched a few and sidelined many.

For all the grandeur of royal titles, these heirs are not stewards of a people. They are silent litigants, known not for leadership, but for legal ambition.

For all the grandeur of royal titles, these heirs are not stewards of a people. They are silent litigants, known not for leadership, but for legal ambition. Their legacy—had the arbitration succeeded—would not have been sovereignty restored, but wealth consolidated, and community overlooked. Meanwhile, the next chapter in the Sulu saga is already unfolding: the case is scheduled to return to court in Paris on July 7, 2025, as Malaysia continues to fight the $14.9 billion arbitration

REFERENCES

Government of Malaysia. (n.d.). About the Malaysia Sulu Case. Malaysia Sulu Case. https://www.malaysia-sulucase.gov.my/about

Jus Mundi. (2022, February 28). Heirs to the Sultanate of Sulu v. Malaysia, Final Award. https://jusmundi.com/en/document/decision/en-nurhima-kiram-fornan-fuad-a-kiram-sheramar-t-kiram-permaisuli-kiram-guerzon-taj-mahal-kiram-tarsum-nuqui-ahmad-narzad-kiram-sampang-jenny-ka-sampang-and-widz-raunda-kiram-sampang-v-malaysia-final-award-monday-28th-february-2022

Malay Mail. (2025, April 30). Azalina: Sulu claim heads to Paris court July 7 as Malaysia fights US$14.9b arbitration ruling. https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2025/04/30/azalina-sulu-claim-heads-to-paris-court-july-7-as-malaysia-fights-us149b-arbitration-ruling/175027

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

The Edge Malaysia. (2024, January 5). Special Report: The Sulu Heirs' Claims – A Thorn in Malaysia’s Side. https://theedgemalaysia.com/article/special-report-sulu-heirs-claims-%E2%80%93-thorn-malaysias-side