Kota Kinabalu: Many policies and development programmes as well as getting back Sabah and Sarawak rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) will easier if someone from these two states hold the Deputy Prime Minister’s post.
Upko President Datuk Seri Madius Tangau told a press conference at Sabah DAP headquarters that Pakatan Harapan already has its choice for Prime Minister – Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim – but that the candidates for the DPM can be discussed after the election.
PH includes PKR, DAP, Amanah and Upko.
Sabah DAP policy Bureau chief Chan Foong Hin said allocating a DPM post to Sabah or Sarawak had been in discussion for the PH manifesto before Barisan Nasional made their announcement on this matter.
He said it was supposed to be announced when launching their PH manifesto but they had to fast forward it when Datuk Seri Zahid Hamidi dangled the carrot during his visit to Kimanis last weekend.
He said for PH, this is part of a more holistic approach in empowering Sabah and Sarawak.
“Together with the appointment of a DPM from Sabah and Sarawak, a National Administrative Coordination Council (Majlis Penyelarasan Pentadbiran Negara) will be formed to bridge the development gap between Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah and Sarawak,” Chan said.
The DPM from Sabah would then be empowered to oversee the operations of the council which will be deliberating on matters relating to developmental budget allocations across the three regions.
Secondly, this DPM will be given the authority to monitor federal funded projects in Sabah and Sarawak to reduce the incidence of abandoned projects, he said.
Meanwhile the 25 PH list of candidates would be announced their candidates on Oct. 31, with top PH leaders including Anwar, Mohamad Sabu and Anthony Loke are expected to be present.
“PH will contest all 25 seats plus the one seat in Labuan,” Madius said.
Chan said PH would introduce several measures and reforms as part of their empowerment package that includes grants and tax incentives for the relocation of all types of industries, particularly all manufacturing sectors to Sabah and Sarawak, starting with RM1 billion in 2023.
PH will also safeguard the rights of Sabah and Sarawak Natives and Indigenous people as enshrined in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples including matters of native customary rights and the establishment of a Land Tribunal to handle any disputes among other things, he said.
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