Avoid bickering to ensure MA63 goals met: Ewon
Published on: Monday, August 12, 2024
By: Sherell Jeffrey
Ewon and delegates at the Upko National Convention 2024.
PENAMPANG: United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (Upko) President Datuk Ewon Benedick reiterated the party’s dedication to upholding the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and the need for continued progress in implementing its provisions.
“The party’s goal demands that we defend the foundation and spirit of Malaysia’s formation in accordance with the MA63 and respect the Federal Constitution as the supreme legislative body,” he told the Upko National Convention 2024 at the Penampang Cultural Centre, Sunday.
ADVERTISEMENT
“I appreciate the role given to me (Federal Cabinet and Malaysia Agreement 1963 Implementation Action Council) which provides a platform for me to convey the party’s position and views regarding Sabah’s rights in the MA63 and the Federal Constitution,” said Ewon.
“As of May 28, out of 29 basic issues or claims related to MA63, 10 have been resolved, one has an interim solution, four are not yet resolved but have policy decisions, nine are unresolved but under discussion and five are classified as agree-to-disagree,” he said. The matters that have been resolved are:
- Transfer of administrative power over Sipadan Island and Ligitan Island to the Sabah Government;
- Amendments to Article 1(2) and Article 160(2) of the Federal Constitution;
- Granting of authority regarding marine fishing licensing and enforcement to the Sabah Government;
- Recognition of the Public Works Department and the Sabah Irrigation and Drainage Department as technical departments under Treasury Instruction 182 (AP182);
- Amendment to the Inland Revenue Board (IRB) Act 1995 (Act 533) to appoint a Sabah Government Representative as a Permanent Member of IRB;
- Transfer of regulatory power over gas supply to the Sabah Government;
- Administration of the judiciary in Sabah;
- Preparation of special guidelines for the process of returning land reserved for Federal purposes in Sabah;
- Transfer of regulatory power over electricity to the Sabah Government.
Ewon acknowledged there are still important matters remained unresolved particularly the review of special grants for Sabah and the mechanism for returning 40 per cent of Federal revenue generated in Sabah.
“We actually set a one-year timeline starting July 18, 2023 until July 18, 2024 to finalise the mechanism for repaying the 40 per cent right to Federal revenue in Sabah.
ADVERTISEMENT
“Upko’s efforts included a roundtable discussion with experts in December 2023 and a meeting with Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor in January 2024 to present the party’s proposals.
“Although this timeline has passed and there is no finalisation yet, our party should not give up.
ADVERTISEMENT
“We will continue to fight through the channels we have, whether through discussions in cabinet meetings or through legislative chambers or legal channels,” he said.
“Let us not look for who and where the mistake is, but instead continue to be determined to find the solution.
“Let’s not quarrel, but instead strengthen unity in getting our rights because these constitutional rights do not belong to any party, but to the people of Sabah,” he said, calling for unity among all parties involved.
“We will also continue to work with the Sabah Government and continue to support other organisations that want to elevate the finalization of this matter. The approach and method of elevation by various parties may be different, but the goal remains the same, so our party should take a complementary approach,” he said.
He said Upko is also committed to defending the nation’s independence while safeguarding the rights and security of citizens.
“Our party’s goal demands that we defend the sovereignty of our independent nation and protect the rights and safety of Malaysian citizens,” he said.
He called for a firm stance against external claims on Sabah, declaring, “Sabah is a sovereign territory”
“Our party should be proud to be part of the national leadership that has successfully fought against the Sulu heirs’ claim abroad,” he said, praising the Madani Government’s efforts in protecting national sovereignty, particularly in response to the Sulu claim.
He commended the Special Task Force on Handling the Sulu Claim led by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman for continuing to thwart attempts by external parties to undermine our national sovereignty.
“The introduction of the Jurisdictional Immunities of Foreign States Bill 2023 allows the courts in Malaysia to summon and prosecute any party that challenges our country’s sovereignty abroad.
“If any country withdraws our country’s immunity, we can also withdraw their immunity in Malaysia,” he said.
On illegal immigrants, he urged party members to continue to ensure that residential areas, land ownership and economic enterprises are free from illegal immigrants.
“Don’t rent houses and premises to illegals. Prevent before it spreads, report to eradicate,” he said.
He also spoke about Upko’s commitment to the principles of the Rukunegara.
“For the first time in the history of our Party Convention, we recited the Rukunegara pledge as a reminder to all party members of our responsibility to build this nation based on the five basic principles of Rukunegara.
“This is to revive the patriotic spirit, uphold the principle of Parliamentary Democracy with Constitutional Monarchy and instil the importance of law and decorum among citizens of various races, languages, and religions,” he said expressing support for the Madani Government’s decision to include the Rukunegara pledge in official events.
“Our party rejects extreme politics that use racial and religious propaganda,” he said.
While acknowledging the constitutional right to freedom of speech, he said, “What is the meaning of that right if every time it is used, it creates tension between races and religions?”
He also reaffirmed Upko’s commitment to defending and empowering the indigenous communities in Malaysia.
“We will continue to defend the rights and empower the progress of indigenous communities in Malaysia, not only in terms of constitution and law but also in participation in public governance and the national economy,” he said.
He also expressed support for the Momogun Declaration, an initiative by indigenous organisations in Sabah aiming to build unity among indigenous groups.
“Our party also encourages more dialogues, seminars, studies, and writings that can strengthen this unity while maintaining existing ethnic identities.
“We support the Bumiputera economic agenda and our party will continue to take necessary initiatives to increase the participation of indigenous communities,” he said.
EWON, who is also Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister said Upko is committed to sustainable economic growth, educational equity and the empowerment of indigenous communities, particularly in Sabah.
“In 2023, the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector contributed 39.1 per cent to the Gross Domestic Product, with a value of RM613.1 billion, compared to 38.6 per cent or RM584.1 billion in 2022, representing a growth of 5.0 per cent,” he said.
“MSME export value also increased to RM152.2 billion compared to RM145.6 billion in 2022, a growth of 4.5 per cent, bringing the contribution of MSMEs to national exports to 12.2 per cent.
“The MSMEs also employed 7.86 million workers, contributing 48.5 per cent to the national workforce, a growth of 3.5 per cent compared to 2022 at 48.2 per cent or 7.59 million workers.
“The national cooperative movement achieved a revenue of RM64.56 billion in 2023 compared to RM45.5 billion in 2022,” he said.
For Sabah, he said the Ministry and seven financing agencies under it have channelled a total financing of RM953, 904,453.60 to 53,044 MSMEs and cooperatives in Sabah.
“I want Upko and its Divisions to implement the ‘One Division, One Cooperative, One Association, One Success Story’ initiative to motivate our people’s participation in economic activities, entrepreneurship and cooperatives and to spark success stories starting from villages and towns,” he said.
“Our party must empower the people with ideas, become mentors and facilitators of people’s affairs so that they not only earn income through entrepreneurial and cooperative movements but also contribute to the country’s economy and progress.
“As Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives, I will continue to seek the commitment of the Prime Minister and the Madani Government so that this Ministry can concentrate additional efforts on the participation of indigenous communities and the Borneo region in the development of national entrepreneurship and cooperatives,” he said.
“Our party must champion the implementation of United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG) by developing indigenous resources to generate income and eradicate poverty, as well as instilling Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) culture in our people’s economic activities and being able to drive participation in high-growth, high-value sectors,” he added.
Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
Daily Express Malaysia
