THE JOURNEY OF HRH SULTAN PUNJUNGAN KIRAM 1ST SERIES
First Series :
The Journey of then Crown Prince (Datu Raja Muda) Punjungan Kiram to Sabah (North Borneo) in 1968
The journey of Datu Raja Muda Punjungan Kiram, the Administrator of the Estate Territory of North Borneo (Sabah) to Sabah in 1968 as then Crown Prince of the Sultanate of Sulu six years after the issuance of the Deed of Transfer of Sovereign Title over North Borneo (Sabah) to the Philippine Glovernment in 1962 occured after series of meetings held between President Marcos and the Nine Principal and Rightful Heirs of Sultan Jamalul Kiram II recognized by the British Court in 1968.
One of the subjects discussed in a closed door meeting sought by President Marcos between him with only Sultan Esmail Kiram 1 and the then Crown Prince Punjungan Kiram was the smooth transfer of throne from Sultan Esmail Kiram 1 to then Crown Prince Punjungan for the purpose of strengthening the Philippine claim for the recovery of Sabah both sovereignty and proprietary from Malaysia, as then Crown Prince Punjungan Kiram was recognized by Great Britain as Administrator of the Estate Territory of North Borneo (Sabah).
President Marcos, however, did not reveal to the heirs the covert mission of the Jabidah training camp in Corrigidor.
To be continued....
In behalf of
35th Sultan Phugdalun Kiram II
Ibni Al Marhum 32nd Sultan Punjungan Kiram
Dayang Dayang Sitti Krishna Kiram (Idjirani)
and Dayang Dayang Putlih Shieha Kiram (Julkipli), Two Royal Daughters of 32nd Sultan Punjungan Kiram duly recognized Administrator of Estate Territory of North Borneo ( Sabah) by the British High Court in 1939
2nd Series:
The Journey of then Crown Prince Punjungan Kiram to Sabah (North Borneo) in 1968
At this juncture, Malaysia adopted a reconciliatory attitude towards the rightful heirs after it refused the Philippines' challenge against its panel during the 1968 Bangkok Talks in Thailand. The Philippine panel challenged the Malaysian panel to agree to bring the Sabah issue to the jurisdiction of a proper tribunal, the ICJ or International Court of Justice, to determine the merits of its claim over Sabah.
During this period, Malaysian Prime Minister Tungku Abdul Rahman verbally ordered Chief Minister Tun Mustapha of Sabah to inform Crown Prince Punjungan Kiram of Malaysia's desire for him and his family to take assylum and establish domicile in Sabah (North Borneo) in preparation for his installation and coronation as Malaysia's duly recognized Sultan of Sabah.
The Malaysian Prime Minister's invitation and proposal conveyed verbally thru Sabah Chief Min. Mustapha for the then Crown Prince Punjungan Kiram finally convinced him upon the intercession of his religiois mentor, Datu Amilbahar, popularly called Datu Guro.
In 1968, then Crown Prince Punjungan Kiram took his journey from his ancestral land, Sulu, to the disputed territory of Sabah (North Borneo).
Crown Prince Punjungan Kiram's stay in Sabah brought an end to Malaysia' fear and speculation of the Philippine invasion against Sabah (North Borneo). Malaysia's fear existed after President Marcos shifted his policy direction towards Sabah away from the 1963 Manila Accord as Malaysia persistently refused to resolve the Sabah (North Borneo) issue thru peaceful means either thru arbitration or diplomatic channels.
To be continued .....
In behalf of
35th Sultan Phugdalun Kiram II
Ibni Al Marhum 32nd Sultan Punjungan Kiram
Dayang Dayang Sitti Krishna Kiram (Idjirani) and Dayang Dayang Putlih Shieha Kiram (Julkipli), Two Royal Daughters of 32nd Sultan Punjungan Kiram duky recognized Administrator of Estate Territory of North Borneo (Sabah) by the British High Court in 1939
3rd Series:
The Journey of then Datu Raja Muda Punjungan Kiram to Sabah (North Borneo) in 1958
Crown Prince Punjungan Kiram and entourage firdt disembarked in Sandakan. They were welcomed by the Malaysian Highest Operative, the Special Brand, and billeted in Hotel in Sandakan prior to his meeting with Sabah Chief Minister Mustapha in Kota Kinabalu.
From 1968 until 1973, the well-being of his family was taken cared of by the State Government of Sabah. Crown Prince Punjungan Kiram designated his eldest daughter, Dayang Dayang Sitti Krishna Kiram (Idjirani) to sign in behalf of him for all their needs and in every transactions with the business establishhment in Kota Kinabalu accompanied by her youngest sister, Dayang Dayang Putlih Shieha Kiram (Julkipli), paid for by the Sabah State Government.
In the late 1970, the Sabah State Government gave the Crown Prince' Children State Government positions. The late Datu Raja Muda Agbimuddin Kiram and Datu Ibrahim Kiram were appointed as Deputy District Officers similar to a position of a Vice Mayor in the Philippines in Kudat and Banggui, respectively. Another son, Datu Aliuddin Kiram, was appointed with the Kudat Urban Housing Development. Her two daughters, Dayang Dayang Sitti Krishna Kiram (Idjirani) worked as Technical Assistant for Building while Dayang Dayang Putlih Shieha Kiram (Julkipli) worked as Technical Assitant for Heavy Equipment with JKR (similar to DPWH in the Philippines). Others worked in Kudat General Hospital.
To be continued .....
Gyan Phigdalun Kiram II
Ibni Al Marhum 32nd Sultan Punjingan Kiram
Dayang Dayang Sitti Krishna Kiram (Idjirani) and Dayang Dayang Putlih Shieha Kiram (Julkipli), Two Royal Daughters of 32nd Sultan Punjungan Kiram duly recognized Administrator of Estate Territory if North Borneo (Sabah) by the British High Court in 1939
4th Series:
The Journey of then Datu Raja Muda Ounjungan Kiram to Sabah (North Borneo) in 1968
While the Malaysian Government still applied a reconcliatory policy towards him, Crown Prince Punjungan Kiram passed thru many tested times throughout the thirteen years of his sojourn in Sabah, Malaysia.
In one occassion when he was invited to the Sabah Secretariat Office, the Sabah State Secretary Rojan asked him to recieve the 60 million British Pounds as left over rental of Sabah to be signed by him alone. In respect.and recognition of the oher eight Rightful and Princupal Heirs' proprietary rights, he did not recieve it but responded that he had to consult the other said Heirs. In another event, the Special Brand brought 3 samsonites measuring 1 and 1/2 ft by 2 ft filled with undetermined amount to his residence in Kota Kinabalu near Tun Mustapha's Residence.
The Malaysian Operatives respectfully informed the Crown Prince that those were offered by the government for his other needs and expenses. In responding to the gesture, he only picked up one bundle of the money inside the one samsonite declaring, qoute: this is enough as the State Government maintained our needs, then pushed them back to the Special Brand side, unqoute.
His children were astounded and bewildered. They politely asked the Crown Prince' action after the Special Brand left. He told his children, qoute: You all are still young and restless. Dont you know that if the government will know that we have consumed already all the money, they would come back to us and ask for a payback, what could I pay them in return? Except to surrender the 1939 Letters of Administration issued to me by the British High Court, unqoute.
In reciprocating Malaysia's cordial treatment to his family, Crown Prince Punjingan Kiram asked and insisted on the Sabah State Government to issue his family including Bangsa Suluk refugees in Sabah affected by the GRP-Mindanao/Sulu Conflict the IC or Identification Card similarly issued to the Sabahans as manifestation of their allegiance to Malaysia. The Crown Prince' intent was to prevent any untoward incidence or misunderstanding of their status and prolong presence in the disputed territory.
The State Government's response to the Crown Primce was quote: even if you (all of them) dont secure IC, you are already citizens of Sabah, unquote. The motive of the Sabah auhorities' response up to this day has remained unanswered.
In 1974, nearly six years in waiting, Prime Minister Tungku Abdul Rahman officially and formally met Crown Prince Punjungan Kiram in Kuala Lumpur accompanied by his wife, Hadja Hatidja Dawili Kiram, and son, Datu Ibrahim Kiram. They were billeted for 14 days at the Malaysian Government's State house called The White House at Tun Razak St., Kuala Lumpur, now owned by the Sultan of Brunei.
Prime Minister Tungku Abdul Rahman and the Crown Prince discussed issues of vital concerns and affairs of Sabah and Mindanao and Sulu, above all, regarding his proclamation, ascension and coronation as Sultan of Sabah.
During the meeting, the Malaysian Prime Minister brought into light the book he wrote, which according to him a chapter of it was reserved for the life story of the Crown Prince and where the Crown Prince was supposed to affix his signature. The latter was asked of his view about the internationally-known conflict between the GRP and the MNLF in Mindanao and Sulu. The latter narrated to the former that the said conflict in Mindanao and Sulu is political and historical in nature and not a religious conflict. The latter further narrated that the relations between the Christians and Muslims were harmonious.
After the meeting, Prime Minister Tungku Abdul Rahman allowed them to travel and observed the State Peninsular States especially ruled by the Sultans including the area situated between the border of Thailand and Malaysia.
The two leaders may have different views in particular on the Southern Philippine Conflict, but the Malaysian Prime Minister did not waive his government's commitment to install Crown Prince Punjungan Kiram as the First Sultan of Sabah in the 19th century.
To be continued ....
In behalf of
35th Sultan Punjungan Kiram II
Ibni Al Marhum 32nd Sultan Punjungan Kiram
Dayang Dayang Sitti Krishna Kiram (Idjirani) and Dayang Dayang Putlih Shieha Kiram (Julkipli), Two Royal Daughters of 32nd Sultan Punjungan Kiram duly designated Administrator of Estate Territory of North Borneo (Sabah) by the British High Court in 1939
