It was a tragedy — Tangau
KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Panglima Wilfred Madius Tangau said he felt both “sad and aggrieved” over the outcome of the move to amend the Constitution pertaining to the equal partner status of Sabah and Sarawak.
He hoped the Steering Committee on the 1963 Malaysian Agreement chaired by the Prime Minister would meet as soon as possible.
“I am both very sad and aggrieved by what happened in the Dewan Rakyat last night. Sad that the historic moment for Malaysia, especially Sabah and Sarawak was not achieved; aggrieved because there are MPs from Sabah and Sarawak who do not support the spirit and intentions of MA63 to be restored to the Federal Constitution. Last night was a tragedy,” he said.
“Be that as it may, I respect their stand (those MPs who did not support); let the people judge them and their actions. To me, what is important now is not to remain aggrieved but to be more committed to the struggle especially in the Steering Committee. Hopefully, the meeting will be held soon,” said the Deputy Chief Minister cum Minister of Trade and Industry who is also Tuaran MP.
Madius, UPKO president, will also be meeting with Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Mohd Shafie Apdal in the near future to further discuss the steps that will be taken by the Sabah Government especially after the tragedy that had occurred.
“On behalf of the Tuaran communities as well as UPKO members, I extend our sincere gratefulness and high appreciation to the YAB Prime Minister; his sincerity to restore equal partner status to three entities - Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak - based on MA63, is very clear,” he added.
“I met the Prime Minister on April 7; I met him again late evening on April 9; he is very open and earnest. As has been proven, after the negative views resulting from the First Reading of the Amendment, he changed the text in the Second Reading, which he presented yesterday. Sadly, all these efforts were in vain,” Madius said.
He hoped that a Special Select Committee appointed among the MPs would be established immediately and represented in the Steering Committee as stated by the Prime Minister.
“To all UPKO members and Sabahans as a whole, I urge everyone to please stay calm. The Sabah Cabinet, and I myself will also continue to champion the aspirations and will of the people,” he added.