style="text-transform: uppercase;">Kota Kinabalu: The Pakatan Harapan Federal Government will revert the status of Sabah and Sarawak back to being "equal partners" as originally outlined in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) – or as one among three instead of as one among 13 believed since the mid-1970s.Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who announced this at the 55th Malaysia Day gathering here, Sunday, said this would be part of the processes to be implemented after the review on the MA63 is completed.

"The return of Sabah's and Sarawak's status, as enshrined in the MA63, will serve as a strong foundation for strengthening bonds between the three regions. Sabah and Sarawak's needs for development will definitely be given attention, as there are districts still backward and very lacking in amenities," he said when officiating at the national-level event at Padang Merdeka.

The review on MA63 will definitely bring up the need for reviewing several practices that had been implemented before this, he said, while hoping that whatever reviews being done would be in the spirit of good camaraderie, mutual respect and great consideration by all.

"Without such spirit and attitude, our union as one nation and one race will deteriorate and the wonders that we enjoy together all this while will fade away in future," he said.

He said the Pakatan Harapan Federal Government will definitely not forget its responsibility to Sabah and Sarawak and will find a way to bring in infrastructure development progress that will be implemented according to the needs and requirement of the people in both states.

"At the same time, I am confident that the relationship between people in the country existed since so long ago definitely remind us how vital is the spirit of reciprocity between the Peninsula, Sabah and Sarawak," he said.

"On this spirit, the leaders and people of Sabah and Sarawak were definitely aware that there are states in the peninsula also still lacking and needing continuous assistance from the Government," he said.

He said the people of Sabah and Sarawak feel comfortable and accepted in the peninsula because there are no encumbrances for them being there and believed this had successfully strengthened the bonds as Malaysians.

"It is because of such good relationship that Malaysia continues to exist even when there are differences in opinions between leaders of the three regions...we have gone through a lot together in this nation we call Malaysia," he said. True, that the journey is not always smooth and orderly. Sometimes we slip and lose direction. What's important is our ability to pick ourselves up and back on the right track."

Dr Mahathir said the 14th General Election has proven our capability to rise after veering off from the course we have built years ago.

"Although we have veered off so far these several years back and the damages done so great and impossible to repair, we do not have a choice than to continue striving to mend the situation.

"Whether we want it or not we need to repair the damages because if we surrender and let it to continue, our value as a free and sovereign nation will fade away. This means we have allowed those who have betrayed our nation to win, which we cannot allow," he said.

"If in 1957 we have gained independence for the Malay peninsula from colonialisation, then unite in 1963 to strengthen our sovereignty, the year 2018 is our second independence and unification from the iron-fist of kleptocracy.

"Like the year 1957 and 1963 have place a great responsibility on us, the year 2018 also placed the same responsibility, if not much greater, on our shoulder. The people and leaders are not afraid of this challenges. We have gone through the 1957 and 1963 challenges successfully and we will continue to successfully deal with the 2018 challenges. God willing," said Dr Mahathir.

"This is our country. We are the ones to decide on our fate. No one else can determine our fate. Rise and fight to achieve the goal of our beloved nation."

Dr Mahathir said although Malaysians have repeatedly celebrated Malaysia Day, this time it is a bit different because for the first time it is celebrated with the Federal Government led by a coalition of different political parties.

He said the Pakatan Harapan has replaced the Barisan Nasional, previously known as Perikatan, which ruled the Federation of Malay Territories and then Malaysia since Independence Day, which is for 61 years.

"This change is not something that is small because before the 14th election, political analysts and observers all said that it was hard, and there were those who said it was impossible to topple a 61-year-old government.

"Pakatan Harapan was successful, although it was unpredicted. The success followed the wishes of the people, it was People's Power. Those who do not do what the people want will definitely receive the same fate.

"Pakatan Harapan and Parti Warisan Sabah need to understand this," he said, adding the changes has led to the widely used slogan of a New Malaysia.

"The wishes of the people and the rulers were directly connected. We no longer want kleptocracy way of governing that rejected democracy and not based on the rule of law. Among the main things we want to change is the corrupt culture which have spread in leaders of Umno and Barisan Nasional, and their government machinery," he said.

He said the belief that "Cash is King" is clearly untrue so "just reject this slogan and return the 'Clean, Efficient and Trustworthy'.

"Tonight, we are together in Sabah, one of the regions that together with Sarawak and the Federation of Malay Territories agreed to unite to form a big family called Malaysia.

"The formation of Malaysia was realised on Sept 16, 1963 with the signing of the Malaysia Agreement between four regions which unite as equal partners, which stand same high and sit same low," he said.

Singapore was out of Malaysia two years later the country was formed and then years later (1976), the status of Sabah and Sarawak was changed from being equal partners to just states in Malaysia.

Dr Mahathir's wife Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Haji Mohd Ali, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and husband Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Head of State Tun Haji Juhar Datuk Haji Mahiruddin and wife Toh Puan Hajah Norlidah Tan Sri Jasni, State Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Shafie Apdal and wife Datin Seri Hajah Suryani Datuk Shuaib, Sarawak Chief Minister's representative, Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah, State Speaker Datuk Seri Syed Abas Syed Ali and wife Datin Seri Hajah Nuraini Habib Kadir, Communication and Multimedia Minister Gobind Singh Deo who is also Chairman of the National Day and Malaysia Day 2018 Celebration Committee, and State Infrastructure Development Minister Datuk Peter Anthony who is Joint Chairman of the Malaysia Day 2018 Celebration Committee, among others, were also present. - Larry Ralon