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The failure by the Madani Government to finalize the settlement of Sabah’s long awaited 2/5 (40%) entitlement under Article 112C and 112D of the Federal Constitution by July 18 depict the lack of commitment by Majlis Tindakan Dan Perlaksanaan MA63 (MTPMA63) to solve the issue.
What most people didn’t know is discussion on the entitlement (and other issues on MA63) had started in 2018 with the establishment of Jawatankuasa Khas Kabinet MA63 (JKKMA63) made of the then Prime Minister, Mahathir Mohammed, Chief Minister of Sarawak, Abang Johari Haji Openg, the then Chief Minister, Shafie Apdal, former PH national leaders in the likes of Azmin Ali, Saifuddin Abdullah, Baru Bian and as well as Darell Leiking, Anthony Loke and Lim Guan Eng.
No one can dispute the commitment and focus by Warisan thru Shafie Apdal, Darell Leiking and the late VK Liew who worked passionately in JKKMA63 and they are instrumental in coming out with the ’21 MA63 Issues’.
The first meeting by JKKMA63 was held in 17 December 2018 and less than a year, the Federal, Sabah and Sarawak Governments have reached consensus on 17 issues with 4 unresolved issues on oil royalty and petroleum cash payments, oil minerals and oil fields, Territorial Sea Act 2012 and States’ rights over the continental shelf.
This shows the capability of both Shafie Apdal and Darell Leiking to navigate thru the intricate Federal bureacracies while at the same time, to secure requisite cooperation from PH 1.0 leaders on matters relating to MA63 (although some are reluctant to do so).
And out of these 3 Warisan leaders in JKKMA63, it is rather unfortunate that Penampang folks ‘killed’ Darell Leiking, the very same person who was the prime mover behind the scene to get things done in relation to the ’21 MA63 Issues’ within the Federal level.
When Muhyiddin Yasin took over the Federal Government in 2020 and subsequently replaced by Ismail Sabri in 2021, the Federal Government continued using the same ’21 MA63 Issues’ and until today after the Madani Government was formed in 2022.
In short, despite changes of political leaders, crucial issues on MA63 have already been decided while Government officials tasked to handle this matter remained at office so there should be no more reason to delay the implementation.
But the most disappointing fact is that among all four Prime Ministers involved with the 21 MA63 Issues, Anwar Ibrahim has the longest time (so far) and most stable Government with most support from Sabah and Sarawak in comparison to Mahathir Mohammed, Muhyiddin Yasin or Ismail Sabri and yet, he can’t deliver the closure on the remaining 4 issues including the 40% entitlement.
Does he even realize it that PKR had inserted a provision in its constitution during its AGM in November 2013 (after GE13) to honor, uphold and implement MA63? So he might as well ask his Secretary General to repeal that provision.
I am now telling Anwar Ibrahim that ‘Sabah is Sabah’ and he must respect whatever special privileges Sabah will enjoy which the nation’s founding forefathers have agreed upon in return for all of them agreeing to sign and form the Federation of Malaysia.
Whatever had been agreed upon and put in the Constitution must be honoured and now that we have most of the 21 MA63 Issues sorted out, we expect immediate implementation.
If the calls by Sabahans to the Madani Government to honour Sabah’s constitutional entitlement grows louder and no satisfactory response is given, then Sabahans and Parti Warisan can always choose someone else, who understand our needs and plight, to work with.
TERRENCE SIAMBUN
VICE PRESIDENT, PARTI WARISAN
7 AUGUST 2024
The best solution is Sabahans must unite. Leaders of the local party must show the sincerity to work together for the coming PRN. Rakyat Sabah sdh fed up. Rakyat Sabah would like to see Sabah’s local parties to work together for our common goal.