SAPP hopes Sabah rights under MA63 recognised
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) unanimously supported the upgrade of Sabah and Sarawak status as ‘wilayah’ (region), during its routine Supreme Council meeting here on Saturday.
Its secretary-general Datuk Richard Yong We Kong said it showed that Sabah and Sarawak were indeed equal partners with Malaya in the formation of Malaysia in 1963.
“Now that Sabah’s status as an equal partner is restored, the Supreme Council of SAPP hopes that Sabah rights under Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) are to be recognised and guaranteed in the Federal Constitution, such as returning autonomous powers to Sabah like healthcare and education, oil royalty,” Yong said in a statement yesterday.
He said SAPP would also take up the issue of restoring the ‘Residency’ system and the return of Labuan to Sabah.
“The restoration of the ‘Residency’ system would spur economic and infrastructure development to new heights, as well as return the decisionmaking powers to the respective residents.
“The return of Labuan to Sabah would expedite the building of the long-overdue Labuan Bridge, which can be operated without the need for Immigration control at the bridge.
“Immigration into Labuan would revert to the Sabah government,” he added.
Yong also said the Supreme Council of SAPP had urged the federal government and all members of Parliament to cooperate and restore Sabah and Sarawak’s rights under the MA63.