KOTA KINABALU, May 27 (Bernama) -- Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) Youth said Friday it fully supports the call for the Malaysian government to strip Datu Mohamad Akjan Datu Ali Muhamad of his citizenship for proclaiming himself to be the "Sultan of Sulu" but expressed serious doubt whether he is a genuine Malaysian citizen.

PBS Youth Chief Datuk Jahid Jahim said swearing allegiance to a foreign power was an "act of disloyalty or high treason and a serious offence under the law."

"I believe the real issue in this particular case is not Datu Ajkan's allegiance but doubts on his real identity and citizenship status," he said in a statement, here Friday.

He said Datu Akjan's status and real identity, whether he is a bona fide Malaysian citizen or a Filipino who came to Sabah as a refugee, is of public interest as he is now a resident of Sabah and a public figure.

"Certainly, there must be public interest on Datu Akjan's case and the law," he said.

Jahid said PBS also expects the National Registration Department or the Immigration Department to investigate Datu Akjan's citizenship.