“As far as we’re concerned, there is no claim,” he said in an interview with ABS-CBN today.

The issue arose after Charles Jose, the Philippine ambassador to Malaysia, told members of the media last month that Manila had not dropped its claim over Sabah.

Jose, who spoke to reporters after paying a courtesy visit to Chief Minister Shafie Apdal, added however that Manila was not actively pursuing the matter at the moment.

Wisma Putra later issued a statement reiterating that Sabah is part of Malaysia, as recognised by the United Nations and the international community since the formation of the federation on Sept 16, 1963.

Putrajaya, through the foreign ministry, had consistently rejected the Philippines’ claim, the latest being in July last year when Aquilino Pimentel Jr, a member of the Philippines’ Consultative Committee, proposed the inclusion of the state in the Philippines’ territory.

Despite frequent statements to the media, Manila has yet to make any formal move like registering an official claim at the International Court of Justice

Mahathir, who is in the Philippines on an official visit, told ABS-CBN that he would not discuss the issue with President Rodrigo Duterte, whom is he slated to meet later today.