Be bold and firm in raising concerns, Maximus told

KENINGAU: Angkatan Perpaduan Sabah (APS), a non-governmental organisation (NGO), urged Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak Affairs) Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili to be bold and firm in raising the concerns of Sabahans and Sarawakians, including that related to freedom of religion and native affairs.

Its Vice President Paul Kadau (pic) said the people of Sabah, especially Christians and natives, would not be happy to see a Minister in charge of Sabah and Sarawak affairs at the federal level acting like everything is fine and okay when, in true reality, it is not.  

He said the Christians in Sabah had been subject to open insults by certain individuals in the social media who seemed to have “immunity” because no action was taken despite many police reports lodged against them.

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“While the natives have also been complaining about losing their native customary lands, including to big companies from the peninsula,” he said, adding if the federal Minister concerned just keep silent about these then what are his true roles and functions.

The Minister of Sabah and Sarawak Affairs also seemed to be okay with whatever amount received by Sabah and Sarawak in the National Budget for 2021, said Paul. 

He was commenting on Dr Maximus’ statement that there is no need to raise fear on matters related to freedom of religion, authority over land and upholding of Sabah and Sarawak’s native customs and traditions. 

Dr Maximus said this was because the rights would continue to be protected in the guaranteed status under the Federal Constitution and Sabah and Sarawak state laws as well as related existing policies.

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“If there is abuse of power which affects the freedom or resulted in unfair actions by any parties against these basic rights, the matter can be brought to court, or raised in Parliament or the State Legislative Assembly for further action,” he told the Dewan Rakyat on Dec 14.

He was replying to Lim Kit Siang (PH-Iskandar Puteri) on the timeframe and the Government’s plan to table the agreements inscribed on the Keningau Oath Stone. 

Dr Maximus said the three agreements on the oath stone, in general, had been stipulated as the guaranteed rights for Sabah under the Federal Constitution.

The three are freedom of religion in Sabah, the Government of Sabah having authority over land in the State and native customs and traditions would be respected and upheld by the Government.

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The Keningau Oath Stone is a monument erected by the local leaders in 1964 based on the State’s native customs and belief system in Keningau after Sabah agreed to join in the formation of Malaysia.

Paul also asked Deputy Chief Minister cum Keningau MP Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan, who is known as a fighter for the 20-Points and Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), if he agreed with what Dr Maximus had said. 

Paul also hoped Dr Maximus can explain what actually are the true roles and functions of the Sabah and Sarawak Affairs Ministry, saying the people of Sabah and Sarawak are still in the dark about its true purpose and functions.