Malaysia was formed and given independence by the British Government in 1963. The Sultanate of Sulu and North Borneo was also given by the British Government the 'Letter of Administration to Sabah, acknowledging all the property of the Sultanate of Sulu over Sabah in 1939. To the effect that 1939 is earlier than 1963 explicitly telling us which one is genuine and legal.
Another striking solid and legal evidence of the Sabah ownership is the case filed by Indonesia to the United Nations to claim part of Sipadan,Sabah against Malaysia . The UN ruling under ICJ explicitly stated that Indonesia has no sovereign rights over Sipadan ,Sabah because it is owned by the Sultanate of Sulu under administration of Malaysia.
Therefore, if Malaysia will not acknowledge the ownership by the Sultanate of Sulu over Sabah, Malaysia is directly violating ( for in fact being violated for 47 years) the UN sanctions over Sipadan, Sabah stating that the Sultanate of Sulu is the legitimate owner of Sabah.
Moreover , if Malaysia will not acknowledge the 1939 High Court decision and the implementation of the 'Letter of Administration over Sabah that the Sultanate of Sulu is the owner of Sabah , Malaysia has to nullify their Independence given by the British Government in 1963 ,simply because it is the same government , the British Government who gave authority over the ownership of Sabah which is far earlier than their independence in 1963.
The continued ignoring of Malaysia to this day of the rights to possessed the ownership, over Sabah by the Sultanate of Sulu Kingdom, creates a continuous anger on the part of the Sultanate people for prohibiting them ti live in their own land and even expulsing the people of the Sultanate living in Sabah today.