A self-proclaimed “Sultan of Sulu” reportedly initiated the $15-billion lawsuit against Malaysia over the disputed territory of Sabah, a source told DAILY TRIBUNE on Sunday.

While courts in Spain, France, the Netherlands and Luxembourg have dismissed efforts to enforce the arbitration award — citing procedural irregularities and jurisdictional overreach — a final hearing is set for Monday in the Paris Court of Appeal regarding a bid by supposed heirs of the Sultan of Sulu to enforce the controversial arbitration award.

However, a source close to the Sultanate of Sulu told DAILY TRIBUNE that the direct heirs of the Sultanate of Sulu are not involved in the case filed in Spain.

Instead, a rival claimant to the Sultanate, with the help of international lawyers, initiated the claim against Malaysia.

“The direct heirs named in the 1939 Macaskie ruling of the British court in Borneo were not listed in the arbitration case,” the source said.

In an 11 October 1939 judgment, British Chief Justice Macaskie recognized the proprietary rights of the rightful heirs of Sultan Kiram and appointed Datu Punjaman Kiram as the administrator of the estate of North Borneo (Sabah) since 1939.

The court also named eight other heirs, including Datu Ismael Kiram, Dayang Dayang Sitting Kiram, Dayang Dayang Sitting Mariam Kiram, Dayang Dayan Putli Kiram, Princess Tarhata Kiram, Princess Sakinur-in Kiram, Dayang Dayang Piandao Kiram and Mora Napsa.

Abraham Idjirani, secretary general of the Sultanate of Sulu, declined to comment, stating that an official statement would be issued after the Paris Court of Appeal issues its final ruling.

“The Paris Court of Appeal will hear the final legal challenge in a dispute involving a nearly $15 billion arbitration award over historical claims over Sabah,” the source said, without elaborating.

Efforts to enforce the arbitration award have been dismissed in Spain, France, the Netherlands and Luxembourg, with courts citing procedural irregularities, jurisdictional overreach, and the annulment of the arbitrator’s mandate by Spanish authorities.

The final hearing comes after the Sultanate of Sulu reportedly made initial contact with the US Department of State in Washington, D.C. to seek the endorsement of the US government, through Secretary of State Marco Rubio, for a 2004 petition to the United Nations.