Be diploma c, UPKO Youth tells Zahid
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Zahid Hamidi should be more diploma c in addressing the secession issue in Sabah and Sarawak, said UPKO Youth chief Arthur Sen.
KOTA KINABALU: Newly appointed Deputy Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Zahid Hamidi, should be more diplomatic in addressing the secession issue in Sabah and Sarawak. Zahid must understand why there is such a sentiment among the people in Sabah and Sarawak in the first place and find ways to address it, UPKO Youth chief Arthur Sen, said.
“While I agree with Datuk Seri Zahid that Sabah should not secede from Malaysia, I am however disappointed with the way he is approaching the issue.
“Threatening the people with legal action is not the correct approach in addressing this sentiment as this is akin to dictatorship, “he said.
“Zahid must first understand why Sabahans harbour this sentiment and adopt a diplomatic approach in finding a solution like what was done by Foreign Minister, Datuk Seri Anifah Aman, through public forums to discuss issues affecting Sabah, “Arthur stressed.
It is through these forums that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak had agreed to the setting up of a special committee to study the state’s 40 per cent entitlement of the net revenue collected by the Federal Government from Sabah, he said.
Arthur opined that Sabahans will continue to ‘erebel’ f if they feel the state is not being treated fairly by the federal government, especially on issues like the Malaysia Agreement 1963, Inter-Governmental Report, 20 Points Agreement, imbalanced infrastructure development between the state and Peninsular Malaysia and the presence of illegal immigrants in the state.
“I, therefore, on behalf of the rakyat, humbly request the federal government to resolve these problems. Explain to the people of Sabah and Sarawak courteously, and not threaten them as we in Sabah and Sarawak are polite and nice people.
“As citizens of an independent country, we must be treated as such so that the aspirations of independence are met,” he said, adding that Sabah and Sarawak also deserve to enjoy the comforts that development brings, similar to that of their counterparts in Peninsular Malaysia.