Sabahans now realize where Pandikar’s heart really is – Henrynus

KOTA KINABALU: Parti Anak Negeri disagreed and described the statement on the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) by Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin as premature, mere assertion and a thinly veiled attempt to mislead the public.

Its president, Datuk Henrynus Amin, said Pandikar seemed to suggest the fight to demand fulfillment of the terms of the Malaysia Agreement is a worthless fight, serves no purpose and is no longer relevant.

He said no one can say conclusively until the formation of teview vommittee on MA63 to study the implementation and compliance and their report is made public.

Henrynus said the people of Sabah should take Pandikar’s statement with a pinch of salt as he was obviously speaking as a politically ambitious Umno leader trying to justify the Barisan Nasional’s inaction on MA63.

“His statement also reinforced lingering doubts as to why Umno has always been against efforts by local Sabah political parties raising issues in MA63,” he said.

Pandikar, he added, finally showed his true color and the question as to why he has repeatedly rejected parliamentary debate on MA63 in Parliament is answered.

Henrynus said Pandikar is from Sabah but Sabahans now realized where his heart really is and where he stands on Sabah issues.

He said while Pandikar may claim to have written a book on MA63, in actual fact his points are mere assertion, not based on thorough study and analysis.

“In fact Pandikar seemed to belittle the efforts by the Sarawak State Government which recently passed a motion on MA63 at the Sarawak state assembly,” he said.

“Pandikar also contradicted the work of his fellow Umno leader Datuk Seri Anifah Aman, the Malaysian Foreign Minister who is spearheading efforts to resolve outstanding issues in MA63 and who is also joint chairman of the MA63 review committee appointed by the Prime Minister to work in the devolution of powers to Sabah and Sarawak,” he said.

Henrynus said MA63 is an international agreement that spelled out terms of the formation of Malaysia.

There are legitimate grievances by the people of Sabah which the federal goverment should not ignore.

The concerns expressed by political parties must be answered.

1. There is question asked about Sabah/Sarawak territorial boundaries (including the continental shelf) being reduced from 180 miles to three miles. Land is a state matter. People would like to know how did the changes to Sabah and Sarawsk territorial boundaries take place.

2. Concession on oil and gas was taken over by Petronas. There are questions on the legality of the Petroleum Development Act 1974 and the Continental Shelf Act without the concurrence of the State Assembly of Sabah and Sarawak.

2. MA63 provides for 2/5 of federal revenue (or 40%) derived from Sabah/ Sarawak to be returned to Sabah/ Sarawak. Question is has the federal government complied with this particular state right?

3. There were constitutional changes affecting the original intention of MA63 such as the status of Sabah changed from Negara Sabah to Negeri Sabah as well as rewording of the status of Sabah as one or three, and not as one of 13.

4. There are other doubtful changes to the federal constitution or state laws which may possibly not in compliance with MA63 and which must be explained.

Henrynus said fighting for issues related to MA63 is part of Parti Anak Negeri’s five-core political struggle.

The party plans to set up a review committee on MA63 involving Sabah and Sarawak and Federal Goverment to carry out the following terms of reference.

1. To study all written and unwritten promises, assurances and guarantee to the people of Sabah/Sarawak during the formation of Malaysia related to MA63.

2. To study all the constitutional changes or laws in Malaysia that directly or indirectly affect compliance of the orginal terms of the MA63 and determine the legality of these laws.

3. To present all the facts to the Sabah/Sarawak governments and make specific recommendations.

He said the new Sabah government after the 14th general election will form the review committee on MA63 after forming the government and its findings and recommendations will be tabled at the Sabah state assembly sitting to be debated and passed.