MANILA – The crown prince of the sultanate of Sulu is not yet ready to give up their claim on the Malaysian territory of Sabah as he and his followers remain holed up in a town there for over two weeks now.

Raja Muda Agbimuddin Kiram, speaking to dzMM, said going back to the Philippines would be an "embarrassment" for them and the sultanate of Sulu.

"Tapos na ang usapan. We cannot go back to the Philippines, because that will be a great embarrassment on our part. We have already stated our intention in coming here," he said.

Kiram said he and his 275 followers are bent on staying in Tanduao village, Lahad Datu town while the Philippine government is in talks with the Malaysian government on how to settle the issue.

"Wala namang problema kung 'di kami babalik. They can proceed with the negotiations peacefully. We do believe na kapag umuwi kami, baka ang mangyari nito, back to zero. Wala nang mangyari," Kiram said.

The sultanate wants that a formal agreement recognizing its Sabah claim, brokered by Manila, be reached with Kuala Lumpur.

Manila, however, said the sultanate's condition is unacceptable.

It even warned members of the sultanate of possible criminal charges as a result of their decision to enter a foreign territory while armed.

The sultanate of Sulu is citing historical accounts as basis for its claim.

Sabah was given to the Sultanate of Sulu by the Sultanate of Brunei due to the former's help in quelling a rebellion during the 17th century.

In 1878, the Sultanate of Sulu leased Sabah to the British North Borneo Company. Britain eventually annexed Sabah in 1946. The disputed territory was then turned over by Britain to the Federation of Malaysia in 1963.