KUALA LUMPUR – Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said says she hopes that “rogue” Spanish arbitrator Gonzalo Stampa faces prison time over alleged transgressions he made in handling the case involving the Sulu Sultanate and Malaysia.
She made this remark following the announcement that Malaysia’s legal counsel and the Spanish public prosecutor had filed a case against Stampa in the Madrid Criminal Court earlier today.
However, the date of the judgement has yet to be determined by the court.
“If possible, I want him to be thrown in prison because of his very disrespectful attitude toward Malaysia and its people.
“Not only fined, (he should) be imprisoned. I hope that the court can convict him as such,” she told a press conference through a virtual meeting.
Azalina expressed her hope for a court ruling that would offer additional assurance to Malaysians, ensuring that no further “ridiculous incidents” occur in the future.
The Pengerang MP explained that Stampa was also accused of unqualified professional practice – on top of his criminal offence of serious contempt of court – as he had “openly and knowingly disobeyed” several of the Madrid High Court of Justice’s binding orders.
This came after his appointment as an arbitrator over the Sulu sultanate case was annulled, following the Court’s judgement that Malaysia was improperly summoned in arbitrator appointment proceedings.
As a result, Azalina said the whole arbitration process involving Stampa has been invalid.
Malaysia is in the final process of annulling the US$14.9 billion (RM69.9 billion) awarded by Stampa to self-claimed heirs of the defunct Sulu Sultanate.
Stampa will face a jail sentence and a fine if he is found guilty of his criminal charges.
Previously, eight citizens from the Philippines claiming to be heirs of the Sulu sultanate had filed for arbitration proceedings in Spain to seek billions of US dollars from Malaysia over Sabah.
In March 2019, the Madrid High Court of Justice appointed Stampa as the arbitrator for the case.
Yesterday, Azalina said any “guerilla attempts” by certain parties to undermine or disrupt the course of criminal proceedings against Stampa were “frivolous” and “vexatious”.
However, Azalina did not mention the contents of the “opposing” motion, or the parties involved in it. – December 11, 2023