Malaysia will be sending diplomatic notes to 168 countries that signed the New York Convention as an early notification on a possible unilateral legal claim by the heirs of sultan Jamalul Kiram II or arbitrator Gondoza Stampa over the 'Final Award' to the descendants of Sulu sultan.

Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah said the proactive move was taken so that the countries were aware of the unilateral claim apart from hoping that the countries involved would inform Malaysia if there were such applications filed in their countries.

Overall, 169 countries signed the New York Convention. However, the Paris Arbitration Court in France earlier made the decision that Malaysia must pay compensation of...