Ex-rep takes exception to criticism of Anifah over MA63
KOTA KINABALU: Former Petagas assemblyman Datuk James Ligunjang has taken exception to Warisan appointed assemblyman, Loretto Padua Jr’s criticism of Datuk Seri Panglima Anifah Haji Aman over his recent statement regarding his call for restoration of Sabahan’s rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
According to Ligunjang, Anifah does not have to respond to Loretto’s criticism as he considers it as an effort to sow discord and disunity among Sabahans in the struggle to restore the sanctity of the Malaysia Agreement 1963.
“There is no question about what Anifah has contributed. Everyone in Sabah knows and acknowledged Anifah’s contribution not only to Sabah but to Malaysia in the international fora,” Ligunjang said in a statement yesterday.
According to him, we should be thankful for Anifah’s efforts in getting the MA63 to be the central issue during the recent 14th general election (GE14) with every contesting party promising to honour the MA63, including Party Warisan.
“It’s time to walk the talk and not twist facts for political advantage. The future of Sabah is more important than that of a political party,” Ligunjang said.
“As the secretary general of Party Warisan, it may be worthwhile for Loretto to learn more before taking on Anifah Aman,” he said.
As a matter of fact, Ligunjang said Anifah had never mentioned that he was the only person fighting for MA63.
“He had acknowledged that Sabahan leaders since the 70’s have been fighting for rights that are rightfully ours.
“He even acknowledged PBS and the rest and mentioned about how Dr Jeffrey (Kitingan) had gone to jail defending and fighting for our Sabahan rights.
Ligunjang said what Anifah meant was that when he initiated a new forum explaining to the public on MA63 in 2015 with the vision of including all Sabahan leaders regardless of their political beliefs, the federal ministers from Sabah were initially not vocal in their support towards his efforts probably for fear of reprisal by the federal government.
“However, when they were presented with the facts and realised that the struggle for MA63 had received the blessing of the then PM Najib, only then did all the Sabahan federal leaders became vocal and supported the fight for Sabahan rights under MA63.
“The recent event which Anifah did along with Jeffrey, Haji Ansari and myself was to explain to the people of Sabah what our rights are based on the Malaysia Agreement 1963.
“We also urged all Sabahans irrespective of their political ideologies to unite and work towards a same goal, which is to fight for our Sabahan rights and hopefully get our rights back for the sake of Sabah and Malaysia.”