CHIEF Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) will continue to fight to ensure all Sabah rights and interests in the Federal Constitution and the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) are fulfilled.
“This is important because we need to build understanding and shape policymakers’ and implementers’ acceptance of MA63 at the Federal level,” he said.
He said that during the MA63 Implementation Action Council meeting in Kuching Sarawak on Jan. 20, he (Hajiji) insisted on bringing several issues to be discussed.
“This included the State’s right to the Continental Shelf and the Territorial Sea Act 2012 which the State Government firmly rejects because it restricts Sabah’s maritime border to three nautical miles,” he said.
Other issues included the revision of the Special Grant as well at the 40 percent claim under Article 112. D to be expedited, added Hajiji, who is also GRS Chairman, while speaking at Sabah Progressive Party’s (SAPP) 20th Anniversary Celebration at Dewan Hakka, Kota Kinabalu, on Jan 29.
“If we work together and have the same goals, we can do much more,” said the Chief Minister.
“Our main objective and fundamental battle is to prioritise Sabah’s rights and interests while elevating Sabah’s status to the top spot in various development aspects. When following up on each issue in the sequence of consultations that are ongoing actively under the MA63, we hold true to prioritising Sabah’s pillars,” he added.
He said GRS, which was established as a result of the political parties’ agreement and determination to uphold the people’s mandate, will continue to be committed to carrying out the Sayangi Sabah Agenda as outlined in GRS’ Aku Janji.
He said GRS’ four main pillars – Sabah First, Sabah Forward, Sabah Prosper and Sabah United – would continue to strengthen the implementation of the Sayangi Sabah Agenda.
“We have had a number of triumphs, with the most recent being the transfer of federal gas regulatory authority to the State Government.
“This includes authority to approve projects costing less than RM50 million to the Governments of Sabah and Sarawak,” he said, adding that they are presently pushing for many more Sabah rights.
Hajiji is confident that the new Malaysia Madani approach can handle problems with State-Federal ties.
“We are confident and believe that as one of the important components of the country, the objective of creating a more advanced and successful Sabah needs to be raised as one of the national goals to secure the prosperity and sustainability of the Federation of Malaysia.
“In subsequent discussions, the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim gave the assurance that he will look into all of the issues and find an immediate solution,” he said.
According to Hajiji, Sabah’s long political history ought to serve as an inspiration and persuade everyone to take action and devise a new plan of action.
“Let’s engage in more worthwhile and valuable development politics to strengthen the people’s togetherness and cohesion. This tenet encourages us to identify common ground for a unified agreement rather than disparities and rivalry that cause division,” he said.
He urged SAPP and GRS leaders to keep laying a foundation of togetherness.
“We are powerful when we work together, and I think we can. This cooperation would help to strengthen the nation and ensure that Sabah’s interests are upheld inside the Federation of Malaysia,” he said.
On the recent reshuffle of the State Cabinet, Hajiji said its goal was to improve the State Government.
“I have emphasised the need to form an inclusive administration in Sabah in line with my wish that the State Government leaders can function as a united team, by sharing the same aspirations built on trust and mutual respect.
“The State Government is committed to having leaders who share this dedication and respect each individual need in order to ensure that the State’s development proceeds smoothly and without any setbacks, as desired by the people.
“To fulfil our election pledges to the people, we must make sure that our growth momentum keeps going forward,” he said.
Hajiji noted that after experiencing many ups and downs, bittersweet turns and struggles, SAPP, led by Datuk Seri Yong Teck Lee, is still intact and relevant. He also commended SAPP’s efforts, which still advocate for and bring up any concerns that are advantageous to the people and the State.
According to him, SAPP’s fight is for the good of the people and the State and is in line with the current state of Sabah Maju Jaya’s development programme.
“As Chief Minister, I give serious attention to concerns raised by Yong. We can only hope that SAPP will continue to work with the Government to advance Sabah. Congratulations and gratitude to Yong and SAPP for your continued support of Sabah Maju Jaya.
“The SAPP’s unity and support are crucial to continuing the fight to advance and protect the interests of the people and the State because it is a part of GRS and the State Government,” he said.
Meanwhile, SAPP strongly supports the Chief Minister’s decision to oppose the Territorial Sea Act 2012 (Act 750), which restricts Sabah’s ability to enforce Sabah laws beyond the three nautical mile limit and restricts the maritime territory to three nautical miles.
“SAPP views that our maritime territory should extend beyond 200 nautical miles in accordance with the 1954 North Borneo Order-in-Council,” said Yong.
SAPP has been opposing Act 750 since 2018, according to Yong, who also praised the Chief Minister for his steadfast stance in defending Sabah rights.
Yong said SAPP is pursuing energy security in addition to territorial security.
“Conflicts and wars provide issues in the area of energy security. The Sabah Energy Commission was established and SAPP applauds the Sabah Government for doing so.
“It is a step to produce and monitor and control our own energy sector. The two laws recently enacted by the Sabah Legislative Assembly demonstrates the dedication of the Sabah Government, led by Hajiji, to ensuring that Sabah is in charge of managing our natural resources.
“As a coincidence, SESB also plans to develop the regional Grid concept based on natural resources, whereby a series of mini and micro hydro-electric power generation can be considered. To exploit our natural gas in the west coast, our solar energy in the north and Bio-mass and Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) in the East Coast of Sabah.
“Therefore, due to the projected increase in energy demand from 1,000 megawatt in 2023 to at least 1,200 megawatts in 2033, SAPP believes that the move away from fossil fuels to hdyro-electric, solar and biomass should be explored. In other words, move from fossil fuels to renewable energy,” he said.
He said SAPP also feels that to guarantee sufficient food supply, they are also pushing for food security.
“Food security, as we know, some countries face food shortages because of the breakdown in supply chain and other causes.
“Due to population increase and urbanization, Sabah is not exempted from food supply problems, especially during inflation, and over dependence on imports which amount to 40 per cent of Sabah’s food supplies.
“Sabah is exposed to price of fluctuation and supply disruptions which will increase costs and burden the people. SAPP feels that to guarantee sufficient food supply, is not only to sustain the agriculture sector and increase domestic production but also require other long term measures such as gaining back Sabah’s right to import and export rice so that the people can benefit from price stability,” he said.
He also pointed out that SAPP would continue to pursue the three main issues which he raised at the Legislative Assembly in March 2022, namely Sabah IC, the return of Labuan to Sabah and release of the Double Six air crash report.
“With the aspiration to develop Sabah as a competitive territory, SAPP also proposes that the English language be made an official language in Sabah. This is because the use of English in Sabah and Sarawak had been recognised officially ever since the formation of Malaysia under MA63. As a reference, English is still used as an official language in the courts in Sabah and Sarawak,” he said.
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