KOTA KINABALU – Sabah PAS is certain that calling the state and Sarawak “regions” instead would mean more development to come.
Sabah PAS secretary Aliakbar Gulasan said despite decision having not yet being made official, he is confident that it will positively impact the state.
“The federal government driven by Perikatan Nasional (PN) and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) has the same direction and aim, which is to develop Sabah.
“I am sure Sabahans are waiting for our rights in Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) to be returned, especially relating to economy and politics. (The level of) development across regions have to be fair and just.
“Generally, Sabah and Sarawak’s infrastructure development must be improved, and economic development needs to be sped up,” he said in a statement today.
Aliakbar said the launch of the Sabah Maju Jaya development plan is the best move by the GRS government to drive growth and socio-economic progress in Sabah.
Elopura assemblyman Calvin Chong Ket Kiun of DAP also said it would be good news for Sabah if it is rebranded to “region” as it would put it on a par with Peninsular Malaysia.
“I hope it would mean the federal government (would begin to halt) handling of Sabah’s education, health, civil defence, economic and infrastructure development, as well as collection of Sabah’s oil revenue.
“Once the name changes to ‘region’, Sabah and Sarawak could govern (themselves), just as how the federal government is governing Malaya. Changing the term from ‘state’ to ‘region’ will not mean anything if the peninsula still meddles in Sabah and Sarawak’s (administration),” he said in a statement recently.
But, Chong stressed that the rebranding must be done for the interest of the rakyat, and not to gain support for the election.
‘Walk the talk, prime minister’
He said for the change to take place, certain articles in the federal constitution have to be amended so there is clarity to the status of Sabah and Sarawak.
“Sabah, Sarawak and Malaya are three entities and there has to be a clearer and more accurate term used to refer to Sabah and Sarawak to avoid confusion.”
Meanwhile, Sandakan MP (DAP) Vivian Wong Shir Yee thinks the prime minister’s statement, which referred to Sabah and Sarawak as “regions”, seems like pre-election gimmick by the PN government to appease East Malaysian voters.
“What is the point of unilaterally announcing the restoration of the status of Sabah and Sarawak to “region” when Article 1(2) of the federal constitution has not been amended to reflect the true status of Sabah and Sarawak in the federation?
“In fact, I challenge the prime minister and his cabinet to walk the talk and convene a Parliament sitting as soon as possible to table the Bill to amend Article 1(2) of the federal constitution to restore its original wording at the time of formation of Malaysia in 1963.
“I believe members of Parliament from both sides of the divide will support such an amendment,” she said in a statement today.
Wong stressed that what Sabah and Sarawak really need is not only a change in name, but the return of autonomy and financial resources stated in MA63.
“We do not want any lip service from the federal government on the issue of MA63. Restore our rights and autonomy in terms of oil and gas resources, education and special federal allocations so that we are not only on the same status in name as Malaya, but also enjoy the same level of economic development as the rest of Malaysia to truly reflect our equal partnership in the federation,” she added. – The Vibes, April 12, 2021
