THE State Government has agreed to set up a reference centre on the 1963 Malaysia Agreement (MA63) and also the history of the establishment of Malaysia.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Haji Noor said MA63 is the birth certificate of the Federation of Malaysia which not only belongs permanently, but also becomes a reference book forever.
“The fact is, MA63 is a jointly owned document as a contract that seals the establishment of the Federation of Malaysia and binds all Malaysians.
“With that awareness, we agree with the recommendation to establish a reference centre on MA63 and at the same time related to the history of the establishment of Malaysia as stated by the Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) President,” said Hajjiji, who is also the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) Chairman, when officiating the PBS 36th and 37th Annual Delegates Conference at Hakka Hall, Tanjung Lipat, Kota Kinabalu.
He was responding to recommendations by PBS President Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili in his speech.
Hajiji said the recommendation is also in line with one of the four thrusts of the GRS’ struggle, namely Sabah First, which involves a two-pronged goal namely to place the rights and interests of Sabah as the priority of the struggle, and to elevate Sabah’s status to the top in various aspects of development.
“Sabah First does not mean we set aside national interest, but as a local platform, our trust and great responsibility is to fight for the interests of the State as the number one priority.
“Sabah First will be our stance in carefully following up on every matter in the series of consultations that are in full swing through various platforms and coordinated under the Special Council on MA63.
“We are lucky because a leader from Sabah itself, namely Maximus, is given the trust and responsibility to directly monitor and follow up on the implementation of the MA63 Special Council at the Federal-level,” he said.
He said the State Government would continue to fight, not only for the implementation of the entire rights and interests enshrined in the Federal Constitution, but also the rights and interests that are present and guaranteed with MA63.
“Our stand is that the spirit and principles of MA63 are always alive and relevant to this day and the future, including the responsibilities outlined under Article 8 of MA63. For that reason, we decided to join the official working visit mission led by Dr Maximus to The National Archives, London, recently.
“We need to always strengthen our claims with facts and data based on official records. I also see this initiative as a strategic approach that combines teams from the State Government and the Federal Government including from the Attorney General’s Office.
“This is important because we need to build understanding and form the acceptance of policy makers and implementers at the Federal-level that MA63 is not only relevant to the people of Sabah and Sarawak.
“Alhamdulillah, today, a lot of progress has been achieved and we are confident the Malaysian Family approach will be able to address the legacy issues that surround the State and Federal relations.
“We are confident and believe, as one of the important components of the country, the goal of building a more developed and successful Sabah must be raised as one of the national agenda to ensure the prosperity and sustainability of the Federation of Malaysia,” he said.
The Chief Minister also welcomed another of PBS’ recommendations, i.e. a bi-partisan Special Select Committee in the State Legislative Assembly be established as a follow-up to work chaired by Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan, who is also a Deputy Chief Minister.
“I will bring this matter for consideration by the State Cabinet. However, the precondition is that all parties must be honest and sincere to find an immediate solution to this legacy issue and act in the long-term interests of the State,” said Hajiji.
At the same time, he said, the State Government needs to work closely with the Federal Government to address current pressing issues that burden the people.
Meanwhile, Hajiji said Sabah’s long political history should set an example and make everyone aware.
“I believe everything that happens has its wisdom.
“What is much more important is that the experience teaches us to rise. Rise to improve the situation with new strategies and fresh approaches through local formulas that better fit the image of our grassroots struggle in Sabah.
“Many of us are part of Sabah’s political legacy that carries us to where we are today. It is enough that we are divided and broken. Don’t let differences widen the gap.
“Upon that realisation, GRS should carry the image of unity. GRS must be open to all parties who share the same agenda and thrusts of the struggle.”
PBS is one of the components of GRS which includes Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) Sabah, Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (Star), Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) and United Sabah National Organisation (Usno).
According to Hajiji, apart from the Sayangi Sabah agenda and the thrusts of the struggle, GRS should also be mobilised based on two political principles.
“First, the principle of development politics which prioritises achievement and not endless political rhetoric; i.e. results over rhetoric.
“This is the philosophy behind the development political principle that we implement and GRS will continue to be committed to implementing commitments and presenting achievement status.
“Development policy is valuable and meaningful must be mobilised in line with the principle of accommodation policy. We must always practise an open attitude and act to build solidarity and unity of the people. This principle invites us to find common ground for unifying consensus, not divisive differences and competition.
“Many of us have been in the Sabah political arena for a long time. We see governments changing. We are players in the complexity of political competition in the State, and finally we ourselves admit that Sabah is still far behind.
“Therefore, I call on myself and all the leadership of PBS and GRS, let us together pioneer and build a platform of unity to pass down to the next generation and all the people.
“The platform is a local formula that unites us all through GRS.
“We are strong when we are united. We will be respected if we are strong and united in bringing the voice and struggle of the State and the people.
“The GRS consensus is not just important for us in Sabah. This consensus is very meaningful to build unity and strength in ensuring that Sabah’s interests continue to be protected in the Federation of Malaysia,” he said.
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