The historical role of the Sultanate diminished after colonial interference, and today, its legacy remains a point of contention, especially in the context of the Sabah claim against Malaysia.

Determining who should be the rightful Sultan is crucial to ensuring that the legacy of the Sultanate is preserved and not exploited for personal or political gain.

The Sultanate of Sulu traces its roots to the 15th century, wielding influence over parts of what are now the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia. However, the decline of the Sultanate began with colonial intervention, particularly during Spanish, British, and American rule. The 1878 agreement that ceded Sabah to European powers marked a turning point, relegating the Sultanate to a symbolic status.

After the dissolution of its sovereignty, the Sultanate became a hereditary institution with little political power. Over the years, disputes among descendants of former Sultans have splintered the leadership, leading to multiple factions claiming legitimacy.

Today, there are different individuals that claim to be the rightful Sultan of Sulu. Each bases their claim on lineage, historical precedent, or selection by community councils.

Determining the True Sultan

The question of legitimacy revolves around three main factors: genealogy, adherence to historical practices, and leadership quality.

In 1936, President Quezon issued a Memo Order to no longer recognize the successor of Sultan Jamalul Kiram II, who died on June 7, 1936. The British Consulate in Manila used this Memo Order as legal basis to recommend to the British Government and the British North Borneo Company to stop “rendering the annual rental payment to the Sultan of Sulu paid yearly”.

In view of the British Government and the Company's actions and decisions, the Nine Heirs filed an interpleader suit in 1936 before the British Sessions Court in Sandakan, North Borneo (Sabah). In 1939, the British Sessions Court promulgated the decision, in which they recognized the Nine Heirs as the principal and rightful heirs of Sultan Jamalul Kiram II, stating that they were entitled to receive the annual rental payment rendered yearly to the Sultan of Sulu, and appointing Datu Punjungan Kiram (who ascended to throne as the 32nd Sultan of Sulu in 1980) as the Administrator of the estate territory of North Borneo (Sabah).

The resumption of payment took place in 1950 when the designated Administrator went to the British Consulate in Manila and presented The Letters of Administration issued to him by the British Sessions Court of North Borneo.

These Nine Principal and Rightful Heirs recognized were:

1. Datu Punjungan Kiram - Administrator

2. Datu Esmail Kiram 1 (31st Sultan of Sulu ratified by the Philippine Government)

3. Princess Tarhata Kiram

4. Dayang Dayang Piandao Kiram

5. Dayang Dayang Sitti Rada Kiram

6. Dayang Dayang Sitti Mariam Kiram

7. Princess Sakinur-Inn Kiram

8. Dayang Dayang Putlih Jahara Kiram, and.

9. Mora Napsa

This being said, the Children of the 32nd Sultan Punjungan Kiram are/were:

1. 33rd Sultan Jamalul Kiram III, deceased, 2015

2. 34th Sultan Esmail Kiram II, deceased, 2016

3. Datu Raja Muda Agbimuddin Kiram, who led the 235 supporters to journey to Sabah (North Borneo) in 2013, deceased, 2014.

4. 35th Sultan Phugdalun Kiram II, current and reigning 35th Sultan of Sulu and.North Borneo, enthroned in 2016.

5. Datu Ibrahim Kiram, deceased,

6. Datu Aliuddin Kiram, deceased,

7. Datu Badaruddin Kiram, current Datu Raja Muda (Crown Prince), first in line to succeed, 2016,

8. Datu Alianapia Kiram, present Datu Maharadja Laila, 2nd in line to the throne, 2016

9. Datu Mohd. Ali Kiram, deceased, 2016

10. Datu Abdilnasser Kiram, present Dari Maharadja Lailah, 3rd in line to the throne, 2016,

11. Datu Shaiffudin Kiram, present Dari Bandahara, 4th in lime to the throne, 2016,

12. Dayang Dayang Sitti Krishna Kiram (Idjirani), sister, and,

13. Dayang Dayang Putlih Shieha Kiram (Julkipli).

The Protocol of Ascension and Installation and Law and Order of Succession to the Throne of Sultan of Sulu mutually established by the ascension of the First Sultan of Sulu, Sultan Sharif-Ull Hashim, the Shariff (Nobles) and the Buranun, original inhabitants of Sulu that has been observed since 1450 until when a grab for the throne existed in 1974. It was paternal, from the eldest brothers to the youngest. When the youngest brother shall be crowned as Sultan of Sulu and before his passing away, the sons among the brothers shall be gathered. The eldest among the cousins shall be installed as Crown Prince, the 2nd one shall be enthroned as Datu Maharadja Adindah, the 3rd one will be installed as Datu Maharadja Lailah, and the 4th one will be installed as Datu Bandahara. And after the death of the Sultan (from the cousins), the 5th one shall succeed as Datu Bandahara, and so on.

Using the 1450 Protocol on Ascension, Law and Order of Succession to the Throne of Sultan of Sulu, there are only at present two legitimate heirs or descendants that have the absolute rights to be installed as Sultan of Sulu and North Borneo. The royal children of the Two Brothers, namely: 31st Sultan Email Kiram I and 32nd Sultan Punjungan Kiram, their Heirs or Descendants inherited the legitimate historic and legal basis as successors. Unfortunately, the installation, ascension and succession were muddled in 1974.

It occurred when 31st Sultan Email Kiram 1 succumbed to natural death in 1974. His eldest son altered the Process of Protocol of 1450 and Law and Order of succession. His son enthroned himself as the successor which deprived the historic moral and legal rights of 32nd Sultan Punjungan Kiram to succeed his eldest brother, the 31st Sultan Email Kiram. The controversy was followed by another brother, Fuad Kiram to install himself in 1995 as Sultan and adopted by a nephew, Muidzalail "Butch" Kiram in 1999. This means that 1450 Protocol was unilaterally amended by declaring the Protocol that the Process of Ascension in 1974 was from the father to the son.

Following and adopting the 1450 Protocol of Ascension and Law and Order of Succession after the death of 31st Sultan Email Kiram 1 In 1974 and 32nd Sultan Punjungan Kiram, who passed away in 1984, the successions of their heirs and descendants following the chronological age, whose relations are cousins, are, to wit:

1. 33rd Sultan Jamalul Kiram III, eldest son of Sultan Punjungan Kiram, installed in 1984 and eldest among the cousins,

2. 34th Sultan Esmail Kiram II, 2nd son of Sultan Punjungan Kiram, installed in 2001, 2nd to the eldest among the cousins,

3. Sultan Mahakuttah Kiram, eldest son of Sultan Email Kiram 1, installed in 1974 and 4th among the cousins,

4. Sultan Fuad Kiram, 3rd son of Sultan Email Kiram, installed himself in 1995, 10th among the cousins,

5. Sultan Muudzalail "Butch" Kiram, eldest son of Sultan Mahakuttah Kiram, installed in 2001, nephews of all the aforenamed Sultans, and,

6. Sultan Phugdalun Kiram II, 5th son of Sultan Punjungan Kiram, installed publicly in 2016 following the 1450 Protocol of Ascension and Law and Order of Ascension, 5th among the cousins, and 35th Sultan according to this.

In consonance with said Protocol and Succession, the next in line to the Throne are, to wit:

A. Datu Badaruddin Kiram, 8th son of 32nd Sultan Punjungan Kiram, current Crown Prince, 8the among cousins,

B. Datu Alianapia Kiram, 9th son of 32nd Sultan Punjungan Kiram, 9 among cousins,

C. Datu Abdilnasser Kiram, 10th son of 32nd Sultan Punjungan Kiram, 11th among cousins, and,

D. Datu Shaiffudin Kiram, 11th son of 32nd Sultan Punjungan Kiram, 12th among Cousins.

7. Among the cousins, who are sons of the above-mentioned Sultans, the eldest is Datu Haydier Ali Kiram, son of 34th Sultan Email Kiram II.

Muedzul Lail Tan Kiram also holds a strong genealogical claim, having been officially recognized as Raja Muda (Crown Prince) during the reign of his father, Sultan Mahakuttah Kiram, the last Sultan officially recognized by the Philippine government in 1974.

Who is then the rightful Sultan?

Beyond lineage, the rightful Sultan must act as a unifying figure for the Sulu people, focusing on improving their socio-economic conditions rather than exploiting the title for personal benefit. This is where many claimants have fallen short. Leaders like Fuad Kiram and Jamalul Kiram III have been criticized for using the title as a tool for financial gain, particularly in the context of the Sabah claim.

Determining the rightful Sultan is not just about historical or ceremonial significance. The leadership of the Sultanate plays a critical role in advocating for the rights and welfare of the Tausug people, many of whom live in poverty. A legitimate Sultan could serve as a unifying symbol, helping to address the socio-economic challenges facing the Sulu region.

Furthermore, a clear and uncontested leadership would put an end to the misuse of the Sultanate’s legacy, particularly in international disputes. By appointing a leader who prioritizes the welfare of the Sulu people over monetary or political gain, the Sultanate’s reputation could be restored.

We can only assure one thing: Fuad A. Kiram can definitely not be the one leading the Sulus. Muhammad Fuad Abdullah Kiram, commonly referred to as Fuad A. Kiram, has been a central figure in the controversial arbitration claim against Malaysia regarding the Sulu Sultanate's historical claims to Sabah. However, Fuad's involvement in these matters has also been overshadowed by his ties to the 2013 armed incursion in Lahad Datu, Sabah, which led to violent confrontations and significant casualties.

The Malaysian government has officially classified Fuad as a terrorist under its Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing, and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001. This designation, effective April 2023, stems from Fuad's association with the Royal Sulu Force (RSF), a group linked to the Lahad Datu invasion. The RSF's armed incursion was an attempt to assert territorial claims over Sabah, leading to deaths among Malaysian security forces and severe disruptions in the affected areas.

Fuad's dual roles—as a claimant in an international arbitration seeking billions of dollars from Malaysia and now from Spain and as a figure linked to terrorism—raise questions about the legitimacy and motivations of the Sulu claimants. Both government's position is further strengthened by the lack of recognition for the self-proclaimed heirs of the Sulu Sultanate in international legal and political circles.

The designation of Fuad as a terrorist discredits the Sulu claim, as it ties one of its key figures to unlawful and violent activities. This aligns with Malaysia's broader argument that the arbitration case lacks legitimacy and that attempts to enforce the multi-billion-dollar award are unjustified under both legal and moral grounds, now evident with a new claim against Spain.