KUALA LUMPUR – Former chief justice Tun Zaki Azmi calls for strengthening of ties within the Federation of Malaysia, particularly between the three territories of Malaya, Sabah and Sarawak.
He said this in an interview with The Vibes during which he answered a question about the inequitable development in Sabah and Sarawak which is being perceived as dictated by the federal government.
“I don't agree. Not in every aspect. It's been said that certain policies of the state are being dictated by the federal government.
“They're not. Why do you say that Sabah and Sarawak's policies are being dictated by the federal government?
“If only the politicians in Sabah work together for the better future of Sabah, then everything will be good.
“(The problem) I see is that politicians are fighting for power and – I'm very sorry to say this – for their own personal interest,” he said.
Zaki, 75, was the country’s sixth chief justice from 2008 to 2011.
When asked why Peninsular Malaysia is being developed as a country while Sabah and Sarawak are developed as states, the former chief justice disagreed. He believed that the capital cities in the two East Malaysian states are much more developed than some cities in West Malaysia.
Zaki said that if the state revenue has been utilised efficiently for the development in Sabah and Sarawak, the two territories will be more advanced than the Klang Valley.
“If the money has been utilised for the development and I'm not accusing anybody – if the money has been utilised properly for the benefit of the state, the state will be more advanced.”
This is part of The Vibes’ video interview with Zaki, in which he shares his thoughts on current issues in the nation. – The Vibes, September 29, 2020
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