Warisan wants BN to show real commitment on MA63

KOTA KINABALU: Deputy president of Parti Warisan Sabah (Warisan), Darell Leiking, has reiterated the need for the Barisan Nasional State government to show its commitment to uphold the State’s rights and privileges within the Federation of Malaysia accorded under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).

“Although talks of committees and its recommendations have been repeated over and over again, I am saddened by the apparent lack of commitment and urgency on the part of the Umno-led BN State government in pursuing the actual implementation of MA63 by utilising Article 8 of the MA63 and to debate this openly in the State Assembly,” he lamented.

Leiking said this in a statement issued yesterday when commenting on the Sarawak government’s decision to send its legal team to London to study references related to Sarawak’s rights under MA63.

“The Sarawak government is pushing hard for the actual implementation of MA63 while the best that our State BN leaders can do is to establish the ‘Sabah Rights Committee’ that is distinctively similar to the committee that came out with the non-binding ‘20 Points’ in 1962 and another committee just like the post RCI committees that have not been able to resolve the PTI with MyKads issue once and for all as well as many other committees announced with big flair and glitz throughout the tenure of this regime.

“Even (Chief Minister) Musa Aman until now has not allowed a debate on MA63 to take place in the State Assembly nor has he encouraged his majority BN backbenchers to have a debate at the State Assembly on matters which have clearly breached the MA63.

“But why is it in Sarawak, its State assemblymen are free to debate on issues relating to Sarawak-KL’s relationship such as the motion for review of Sarawak’s petroleum royalty of 20% tabled on a joint effort by BN Sarawak and PKR Sarawak chief, Baru Bian, and supported by the previous CM, the late Tan Sri Adenan Satem?” he asked.

Leiking also believed that the actual implementation of the MA63 would be key to a prosperous Sabah.

“Imagine if the State enforces the 40% special entitlement (that should not be confused with the annual budget given by the Federal to Sabah) calculated from 1963 to date. The likely quantum would amount to more or less RM1 trillion.

“Or the possibility of Sabah being in total control of its continental shelf, which may invalidate Petronas’ petroleum activities in the State, thereby paving the way for a Stateowned oil company to be fully in charge with our petroleum reserves. Would not this make Sabah as rich as Brunei or richer?” he postulated.

“These are all the things which we need to know whether it is true or not. Thus, we should allow for a full debate to take place in the Sabah State Assembly to discuss on this matter and for the government of the day to reveal to all.

“One of the many steps, if this has not been done, is for Sabah to join hands with Sarawak by also sending our own legal team to London so that the Federation will know that the ‘Borneo Bloc’ is becoming a reality in its pursuit to enforce Article 8 of the Malaysia Agreement 1963.

“So, when can we ever send such a message but now!

“As far as I am concerned, these are the things which Warisan will do immediately upon taking over the State government and we believe the electorates as well expect us to do the same,” he concluded.