'Treat Sabah as equal and not junior partner'
Published on: Monday, September 17, 2018
Keningau: Parti Solidarity Tanah Airku (Star) President Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan hopes the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government led by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad will treat Sabah as an equal partner and not as a junior partner. He said if this could be done, the Prime Minister would be the best for Sabah and Sarawak as he would be serving both states as equal partners. "We give him the opportunity and hope he can fulfill the promises to give Sabah the full autonomous government and consider Sabah a country by making a new agreement that we are equal partners," he said, in his speech at the commemoration of Malaysia Day at Batu Sumpah (Oath Stone) in the compound of the Keningau Heritage Museum, here, Sunday.ADVERTISEMENT In addition, the nation needs to restructure at the central level so Sabah plays the same role as Malaya. Jeffrey said the gathering held at Batu Sumpah is not a stone "but because of the pledge of commemoration which has been promised and guaranteed but all the promises and guarantees written and sculpted at Batu Sumpah today are all violated and not one respected".He said this included the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and the 100-day promise that was 'Janji Terang Bulan' or the bright moon's promise. "We are here together with promises made at Batu Sumpah as voicing our complaints to the present government. Malaysia was not formed yesterday but already 55 years but until today the MA63 agreement is not respected. If the promise of MA63 is not met and the promises of Malaysia's establishment time are not respected in what profits and what result we are together?"ADVERTISEMENT Jeffrey wants the agreement to be reviewed or replaced with a new agreement. Malaysia's agreement has entered 55 years ago and among the promise of independence before forming Malaysia together with Sabah, Sarawak, and Malaya."During the last election, leaders agreed that this Malaysia Agreement should be implemented. It's been 100 days and we're waiting. We still give the opportunity because the current government is led by a leader who has the opportunity to lead the government for the second time.
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"For 55 years…the political power and wealth of the state has been taken and this is a huge loss to us, "he said.According to him, the existence of the Oath Stone is a show of loyalty to the people of the state, especially in the interior and the Oath Stone is also a symbol of the formation of Malaysia. "Without this Batu Sumpah, Malaysia will not exist and this Oath Stone is not only a National Heritage recognised by the government but it shows the government's commitment to fulfill all the promises made at this Batu Sumpah plaque in return for the loyalty of the people in interior areas supporting the formation of Malaysia together with Sarawak and Malaya, "he said.Also speaking at the commemoration of the Malaysia Day was SAPP President, who is also former Sabah Chief Minister, Datuk Seri Panglima Yong Teck Lee and Keningau Umno division Chief and former Assistant Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry Datuk Sairin Karno.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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Earlier, the ceremony was preceded by the Moningolig (adoring the spirit of the Batu Sumpah) by Bobolian Langot Gulim from Bingkor Keningau.About 1,000 people including Bingkor Assemblyman who is also the Organizing Chairman Robert Tawik, Sook Assemblyman, Datuk Ellron Alfred Angin, Usukan Assemblyman, Datuk Japlin Haji Akim, Kiulu Assemblyman, Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, Gabungan Sabah Chairman, Datuk Mohd Noor Mansor and leaders from Gabungan Sabah and Umno were present at the gathering. - Johan Aziz