Shafie: Sabah to continue pursuing state rights

KOTA KINABALU: Putrajaya’s promise to Sabah, including the 40% federal revenue and 20% oil royalties, is still on the table despite failure to push through the amendment to restore the status of Sabah and Sarawak, says Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal.

“Sabah will push ahead in pursuing the state rights guaranteed under the Federal Constitution. It is not the end of the road,” said the Semporna MP yesterday.

He said there were many aspects to Sabah’s rights that would be pursued, apart from wanting Article 1(2) of the Federal Constitution amended to its original form as it was the “mother” of all articles in the Constitution that gave legitimacy to Sabah and Sarawak as equal partners.

Shafie said he was ready to talk to his Sarawak colleagues to see how best the two states could try to get the amendment passed in Parliament again.

He pointed out that Sabah and Sarawak could not make any constitutional amendments without the support of Peninsular Malaysia lawmakers, but this was possible with the support of Pakatan Harapan.

The Chief Minister noted that Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad had addressed concerns of the MPs in which he agreed to form a parliamentary select committee and assured Parliament that there would be subsequent law amendments to ensure Sabah and Sarawak’s rights were honoured by the Pakatan Harapan federal government.

“I thank our Prime Minister for his full commitment. He listened, explained and met with some of the concerns,” he said.