UBF vows to fight for native supremacy
Published on: Thursday, August 18, 2011
Kota Kinabalu: United Borneo Front (UBF) on Wednesday vowed it will fight for native supremacy particularly where native land ownership, native land rights, native customary rights and pusaka (heritage) land rights are concerned. Co-founders Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan and Nilakrisna James said despite their different political ideologies, they both consider the issue as priority."The wishes of private land owners shall remain paramount and we should protect indigenous rights in this country wherever they exist," said Jeffrey.
ADVERTISEMENT
He said native land, customary and heritage ownership and rights to the UBF is vital and therefore should be respected.In fact, he said it is considered one of the cornerstones in the formation of the Federation of Malaysia.To prove his point, he said it is clearly written on the Batu Sumpah (oath stone) that land ownership is supreme.He said native inheritance laws and heritage provisions are considered sacred in native culture.
ADVERTISEMENT
Hence, it is something that the Government must respect, he added. He said it is a non-negotiable pledge that all Sabah leaders should make to the people before taking up office or be considered for candidacy.
ADVERTISEMENT
He said if the laws were found to be oppressive or there are backdoor opportunities or loopholes that render native or private land ownership fragile or subject to abuse, then there is a need for amendment so as to make such laws fair and just for the people. On other developments, Nilakrisna said she would host a UBF Malaysia Day tea party at Sedomon's Rumah Besar in Bingkor on Sept 16 with some members of the Sedomon clan. "Jeffrey and I are doing this in Sedomon's honour and we will celebrate the occasion on my grandfather's turf by talking about issues that Sedomon was deeply passionate about," she said. Thereafter, she said they would proceed to pay their respects at the Batu Sumpah."This is a spiritual journey for both Jeffrey and I and a very important one before the next general election," she said.Jeffrey said there would a convoy to Entilibon right after the ceremony at the Batu Sumpah.He said the convoy would be significant in that it is not just a celebration of Sept 16 but as a reminder to all of the rights that had been agreed upon before the formation of Malaysia and also the assurances given by former Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman.Personally, he said Sept 16 remains an empty celebration unless the Federal Government recognises the autonomous rights of Sabah and Sarawak.The event would only be meaningful once the full rights of Sabah and Sarawak are restored, he said, adding that Sabah and Sarawak should be treated as equal partners with Peninsular Malaysia.He said the timing is right for the nation's leadership to recognise this significant issue.On this, Jeffrey said if the leadership recognises this, Malaysia would remain as one country but with two systems."By doing so, Sabah and Sarawak would be allowed to grow as a partner and therefore be able to harness their full potential," he said.Explaining, he said in the "one country, two systems" approach, policies applied in the peninsula should not be standardised in Sabah and Sarawak.Among these, he said, is the Cabotage Policy that has impeded competitiveness as well as led to a higher cost of living.Subsequently, he said the situation caused investors to shy away from Sabah and hence the exodus of many Sabahans to seek employment in the peninsula.Another glaring proof, he said, is the geographical divide between West Malaysia and Sabah and Sarawak.The Federal Government collects taxes to the tune of RM15 billion a year from Sabah and a bulk of it is utilised to develop peninsula states.The one country, two systems is already proven, he said, citing China and Hong Kong.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
Daily Express Malaysia
