Malaysian assets at risk globally as late Sultan's heirs claim $15 billion award

FILE PHOTO: Locals from Sabah wave Malaysian flags during the Malaysia Day celebrations marking Sabah's entry into Malaysia, in Kota Kinabalu September 16, 2012. With a general election due within seven months, the 13-party ruling Barisan Nasional coalition is banking on Sabah and neighbouring Sarawak state on Borneo island to prolong its 55-year grip on power. Picture taken September 16, 2012. To match Feature MALAYSIA-IMMIGRANTS/ REUTERS/Bazuki Muhammad

The heirs of a 19th century sultanate are seeking to seize Malaysian government assets around the world in a bid to enforce a $14.9 billion arbitration award they won against the Southeast Asian nation, despite a stay on the case handed by a French court, their lawyers told Reuters.

A French arbitration court in February ordered Malaysia to pay the sum to the descendents of the last Sultan of Sulu to settle a dispute over a colonial-era land deal.