Upko says will forever champion MA63
Published on: Saturday, August 20, 2016
Penampang: United Pasok Momogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (Upko) had and will always continue to champion the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and beyond."If there had been any confusion from any party, I would like to guarantee that Upko had always fought for it, to the point of presenting the 10-point memorandum to the Prime Minister," said party Acting Chief Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau during a press conference here, Friday.Tangau said the memorandum, which was handed over to the Prime Minister on Sept 14 last year, contained Upko's proposals on what needs to be done to empower Sabah. The memorandum will be followed through from time to time, he said.
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He added that Upko had always been consistent in voicing out support for Sabah's rights and challenged anybody to read the Hansard in the Parliament as proof of the party's consistency.Tangau had come under fire after he was reported to have said that Malaysia Agreement should not take precedence over other matters such as economy and the quest for a better living standard.His critics even quipped that he must have been annoyed by the constant barrage of questions on MA63 posed to him by villagers instead of questions like how the people can take advantage of technology to better their lives.Tangau who was appointed the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation last year always promotes the advantage of science and technology wherever he goes.
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In the meantime, Tangau announced that the party will be holding a closed forum on Malaysia's formation on Sept 15, in conjunction with the 53rd Malaysia Day."The forum will be attended by Upko leaders such as our supreme council members, Exco members of our Youth, Wanita and Komulakan movements. For Upko, it is important to understand the history of Malaysia's formation, especially important documents related to the event for example the 20 Points, IGC Report, MA63, Malaysia Act and Federal and State Constitutions.
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"It is very important for us in Upko to understand the contents of these documents because we do not want our leaders to be easily confused by views of differing opinions from researchers and especially activists," he said, adding that the forum will be an annual event for the party.Tangau said the forum will be conducted by former Wildlife Department Director who is also an Upko member Datuk Laurentius Ambu.Earlier, Tangau and other leaders of the party, were briefed by Ambu on what would be presented in the forum.For the past couple of years, Ambu had been touring Sabah, giving lectures and educating the people on Malaysia formation. Recently, following a seminar conducted by Ambu, both Upko Youth and Wanita movements made a resolution to urge the State government to claim what was constitutionally agreed upon when Sabah merged to form Malaysia in 1963.The promised autonomy, except in defence, security, internal affairs and foreign affairs, must be accorded to Sabah as stipulated in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and the Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC) Report.Other than autonomy, another issue that remains unresolved in the MA63 struggle is the long overdue payment of the 40 per cent growth grant to Sabah as agreed in both IGC Report, MA63 and even constitutionally stipulated in the Federal Constitution.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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