Teo: No need for war of words on MA63
KOTA KINABALU: Special Tasks Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Teo Chee Kang said there was no need to engage in a war of words on the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) issue or the status of Sabah and Sarawak in the federation.
He said as far as the Sabah government was concerned, both the Bornean states were special compared to other states in the peninsula and that this was enshrined in the Federal Constitution and could not be changed.
He said Sabah and Sarawak had the legislative power to enact laws not only in the areas under the State List, but also on land, natural resources, local government and many other prerogatives like immigration which states in the peninsula did not enjoy.
In addition, there are also special constitutional safeguards and provisions of special grant for the Bornean states under the Federal Constitution.
Teo, who is also chairman of Special Rights Committee, was responding to Dewan Rakyat Speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia’s opinion that Sabah was the same as other states in the peninsula.
“Pandikar is entitled to his opinion but I have said this before, in substance, we are different from all the other states in Malaya. This is a fact that cannot be denied,” he said.
He said there should be less focus on semantics and more on substance, adding that the issue should not be used for political mileage.
He once again stressed that the Sabah government has its own way of dealing with the federal government in matters pertaining to restoration of state rights and devolution of power.
“The Special Rights Committee was set to address these matters and I believe we are heading in the right direction,” he said.
Teo, who is also Liberal Democratic Party president, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak had recently assured that any rights of Sabah unintentionally taken by Kuala Lumpur would be returned.
“The PM’s assurance shows that the federal government is committed to resolve all issues pertaining to MA63 with Sabah,” said Teo.
During the launching of the 32nd Parti Bersatu Sabah Congress on November 18, Najib said he shared the sentiments with regard to MA63 but has asked Sabahans to give the government time to interpret the 1963 agreement before it makes changes.
Teo further commented that it was more important to uphold the substantive rights under the law instead of arguing over semantics.
“I believe we all want what’s best for Sabah, Sarawak as parties to MA63, and as parties who formed the Malaysian Federation. So let us work in solidarity towards this single objective,” he said.