ArrowArtboardCreated with Sketch.Title ChevronTitle ChevronIcon FacebookIcon LinkedinIcon Mail ContactPath LayerIcon MailPositive ArrowIcon Print
International relations

Malaysia's spat with Philippines over Sabah: Five things to know

Tensions add further complication to sovereignty issues in South China Sea

TOKYO -- A 60-year-old dispute over the sovereignty of Sabah, Malaysia's second largest state, has recently reignited, creating tensions between Kuala Lumpur and Manila and adding a further complication to the many sovereignty issues in the South China Sea.

It began as a diplomatic spat on Twitter. "Sabah is not in Malaysia," Philippine Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin, Jr. tweeted in July, replying to a message by the U.S. Embassy in Manila about donations to Filipinos repatriated from Sabah.

Sponsored Content

About Sponsored Content This content was commissioned by Nikkei's Global Business Bureau.

Nikkei Asian Review, now known as Nikkei Asia, will be the voice of the Asian Century.

Celebrate our next chapter
Free access for everyone - Sep. 30

Find out more