KOTA KINABALU – PBS president Datuk Seri Maximus Ongkili has slammed former Dewan Rakyat speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia’s proposal to move on from the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and push for a new deal from Putrajaya.
Speaking to The Vibes, Ongkili stressed that Pandikar’s idea will not work as, without the MA63, there will be no reference point in the fight to restore equal status for the Borneo states.
“We must understand that the MA63 is part of the Malaysia Act, which was tabled in Parliament, as well as the Sabah and Sarawak legislative assemblies.
“If we want to establish a new agreement, it needs to be tabled in Parliament and both assemblies for approval. It is a long process.
“One must understand that a federation must have an agreement, otherwise, you have no foundation reference point. Meaning, in this instance, no MA63, no foundation reference point.
“Let’s say, if you are unhappy about the existing federation, then what's your reference document? You can't just pluck them from thin air,” said the minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak affairs).
Ongkili was commenting on Pandikar’s statement that Sabah and Sarawak leaders should forget the MA63 and draw up a new agreement with Putrajaya.
Yesterday, Pandikar, who is also United Sabah National Organisation (USNO) president, had told online portal Free Malaysia Today that he felt Sabah and Sarawak leaders are still clinging on to an old mentality by constantly harping on the MA63.
He told a webinar organised by the Enlighten Society titled “Forum Malaysia 58 Tahun: Hala Tuju, Potensi dan Cabaran” that a “new deal” would create equal status between the Borneo states and Peninsular Malaysia.
Ongkili said that, from a legal perspective, when one deals with complaints, grouses or breaches, one will need to cast those against their signed agreement in order for the affected parties to be deemed “non-compliant” and for one to file charges or appeal for action.
“Only then can you move from there. However, if that process fails, only then can you opt to abandon MA63 and choose a legislative or democratic political process.
“But thankfully, Malaysia still has sufficient right-minded leaders, not just in the central government, but also in Sabah and Sarawak, who are committed to preserve, strengthen and reinvent the Malaysian Federation, and trust it will evolve a truly Sabah Maju Jaya, and Sarawak as true partners of the Federation,” he said.
Ongkili said Pandikar’s view is similar to Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Jeffrey Kitingan’s statement in May, in which Kitingan proposed a new agreement and federal constitution.
At the time, Ongkili also strongly disagreed with Kitingan and said such proposals should not go unchecked, adding that “there are many things to be considered beyond the Malaysia Agreement 1963 itself”. – The Vibes, September 18, 2021
