KOTA KINABALU – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has promised implementation of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) without the need for more committees to study the matter, Sabah leader Datuk Seri Jeffrey Kitingan said.
The state’s deputy chief minister II said Anwar had a meeting with several Sabah ministers recently and made remarks to that effect.
“We met with the new prime minister recently and we discussed whether they (the federal government) will continue with the cabinet committee on MA63, and his response was, why is there a need for committees, why don’t we just implement it?
“So I (asked), ‘are you sure?’ and he (Anwar) said yes. We are happy with that response,” Kitingan told reporters after launching an event here today.
On the implementation of Sabah’s entitlement to 40% of the revenue it generates, he said the meaning of “nett revenue” would still need confirmation, as well as what should be included in determining federal income derived from Sabah.
“I think this will not be difficult. I hope it will happen soon. It is our (Sabah’s) money. And they just return part of it,” said the Sabah STAR president.
Kitingan also said the ruling state coalition Gabungan Rakyat Sabah was happy being part of the Pakatan Harapan-led government and was not demanding any posts.
On Sabah STAR leaving Perikatan Nasional (PN), he said a decision will be made in a week’s time, saying the matter has been discussed at the party’s political bureau unit.
He had hinted at this on November 25, when he said Sabah STAR would skip several PN meetings, which by party convention, would result in the party being automatically removed from the alliance.
PN is now the opposition in Parliament. – The Vibes, December 2, 2022
