KOTA KINABALU – Brushing off a call from Datuk Seri Jeffrey Kitingan for a new Malaysia Agreement and constitution for Sabah, a Warisan leader has challenged the deputy chief minister to focus on pressing Putrajaya to regain state rights that have been lost.
Penampang MP and Warisan deputy president Datuk Darell Leiking said Jeffrey can quit the ruling federal Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition altogether in the event he fails to do so, if he is indeed serious about Sabah regaining its rights.
Darell added that Jeffrey could also form a state rights committee with Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor to realise his goal of renegotiating a new Malaysia Agreement and formulating a “Malaysia constitution”.
He said Jeffrey would have the support of all 24 Sabah MPs if he is serious about restoring state rights.
“I’m aware there’s a MA63 (Malaysia Agreement 1963) committee formed at the federal government, continuing what had been left off by the previous Pakatan Harapan government,” Leiking said.
“But Jeffrey can discuss with the chief minister on forming a state committee to realise what he has proposed.
“Don’t let the federal government decide for you. He can leave PN any time and the number of parliamentary seats will change or at least change Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s administration,” he said.
Yesterday, Jeffrey had said that the time has come for MA63 to be replaced as its terms have not turned out “as aspired” after 58 years.
Speaking at an online forum organised by the Society Empowerment and Economic Development of Sabah, Jeffrey said Putrajaya must also restore the state’s autonomy, as well as the status of Sabah and Sarawak as equal partners in the federation.
Jeffrey, a committed MA63 activist, is well-known for fighting for the restoration of state rights.
His struggles have influenced many Sabah MPs and assemblymen to pick up the matter, including those in the state’s ruling Gabungan Rakyat Sabah alliance that comprises Bersatu, Sabah Umno, PBRS, PBS, MCA and MIC.
Leiking said that Jeffrey, who is also Keningau MP, should be able to help realise the reclaiming of lost state rights from Putrajaya due to his standing at the federal and state levels.
Among MPs in Sabah, Kitingan is the only one from his party, Sabah Star. Sabah Bersatu has six MPs, Sabah Umno (2) and PBS (1).
On the opposition front, Warisan has seven MPs from the state, DAP (3), PKR (2) and Upko (1). One seat, Batu Sapi, is currently vacant following the death of its MP from Warisan, Datuk Liew Vui Keong, late last year.
The Labuan MP, a federal territory off Sabah, is also from Warisan. – The Vibes, May 7, 2021
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