KUALA LUMPUR, May 30 — The federal police have initiated investigations for alleged sabotage by the self-proclaimed heirs of the Sulu Sultanate following a report lodged by the Prime Minister’s Department’s legal affairs division last week.

Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani said the police’s Classified Crime Investigation Unit and Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department have opened investigation papers under Section 124(K) of the Penal Code for sabotage.

“The police take a serious view on any elements that could threaten the country’s public safety, especially acts of sabotage to the security, sovereignty and stability of the nation,” he said in a statement issued here.

Earlier, Acryl Sani said that police confirmed that they have received a report lodged by the Prime Minister’s Department’s legal affairs division director-general against the self-proclaimed heirs of the late Sultan of Sulu.

He said the report lodged was following the heirs’ claimed sum of more than US$32 billion (RM148 billion) against the Malaysian government through an arbitrator on July 30, 2019, which it said was a threat to national security.

Last Friday, the Prime Minister’s Department special secretariat confirmed in a statement that it had lodged a police report against the Sultan of Sulu claimants.

It added that the claimants’ “aggressive actions” could sabotage the economy.

The statement also mentioned that following the Lahad Datu invasion, the Malaysian government had declared the Royal Sulu Force (RSF) as a terrorist entity involved in the tragedy in Sabah in 2013.

It stated that one of the claimants, Fuad A. Kiram was also classified as a terrorist under Section 66B of the Anti-Money Laundering, Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (AMLAATFUAA) on April 6, 2023.

“Following the report, it is believed that a criminal investigation will be initiated by the authorities to ensure the country’s peace, security and stability,” read the statement.