PM to uphold Sabah’s rights
Ismail Sabri vows to resolve outstanding Ma63 issues
KOTA KINABALU: The Prime Minister started his Malaysian Family (Keluarga Malaysia) Aspiration road tour in Sabah speaking in the native Kadazan tongue to remind Sabahans to always stay strong together and pledging to uphold their rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
During his opening speech, Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said “Osusa Toi Asanang Tomoi-mo Mi-i-so” – which means staying strong together in hardship and good times, in happiness or sadness.
Ismail Sabri said he hoped this concept can be adopted by all in the country as the federal and state governments work together to resolve issues close to the hearts of the people.
“In the Malaysian Family spirit, the Federal Government hopes that all issues including Sabah’s claim on any outstanding matters can be discussed and considered holistically,” he said.
“The Federal Government always plays a positive role in ensuring that matters under MA63 can be achieved, especially those that should be given to Sabah,” he added.
He said a federal-level committee was formed and chaired by himself, together with Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor and other partners, to find solutions to these issues.
Ismail Sabri praised the spirit of unity and harmony in Sabah, where people regardless of race and religion, beliefs and social status can sit together and live as one.
He said the ability of the people of Sabah to put aside their differences and live together makes them stronger and able to face whatever challenges in life.
Ismail Sabri reiterated several government policies meant to help the people of Sabah through social and economic development while enhancing the state’s security.
“The Trilateral Cooperation Agreement (TCA) between Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines will be reassessed to ensure an optimum level of security in Sabah and Malaysian waters,” he said.
Earlier, Hajiji expressed his gratitude to Ismail Sabri for increasing the Special Grant to Sabah from Rm26.7mil to Rm125.6mil, adding that he looked forward to more increases in the future.
“The money obtained from the increased Special Grant will be used to build 1,500 Rumah Mesra in all 73 state constituencies in Sabah,”
he added.
Hajiji said he believed the Keluarga Malaysia approach mooted by Ismail Sabri could be the right formula for addressing legacy issues between Sabah and the Federal Government.
On another note, he proposed a state-federal collaboration that merges the Malaysian Family Aspiration road tour and Hala Tuju Sabah Maju Jaya programmes at the grassroots level in Sabah to reach a broader audience.