No let-up in pursuit of rights: Sabah DCM

KUCHING: Sarawak and Sabah will continue to seriously look into negotiations to claim their rights enshrined in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) from the federal government.

Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Jeffrey G. Kitingan said there are 29 issues or matters that the two states are negotiating with the federal government.

He said this while delivering his talk on Status of Negotiation of MA63 during the Borneo States Symposium ‘Realising the Dreams and Visions of the People of Borneo States’ at the Borneo Cultural Museum (BCM) here Saturday.

He said that as of May 28, 11 of the total number of claims had been resolved, including the handover of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) regulatory authority to the Sarawak government; the transfer of authority over the administration of Sipadan Island and Ligitan Island to the Sabah government; and Amendment of the Federal Constitution Article 1(2) and Article 160(2) of the Federal Constitution.

Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Jeffrey Kitingan gave a speech at The Borneo States Symposium at the Auditorium, Borneo Cultural Museum, Kuching here yesterday.

Wilfred Yap gave a speech at The Borneo States Symposium at the Auditorium, Borneo Cultural Museum, Kuching here yesterday.

Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Jeffrey Kitingan gave a speech at The Borneo States Symposium at the Auditorium, Borneo Cultural Museum, Kuching here yesterday.

He explained, this includes the granting of powers on Licensing and Deep Sea Fishing to the Sabah and Sarawak Government; the recognition of the Public Works Department (PWD) and the Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) of Sabah and Sarawak as technical departments under Treasury Directive 182 (AP182); Amendment of the Inland Revenue Board Act 1995 [Act 533] to appoint representatives of the Government of Sabah and Sarawak as Permanent Members of the Inland Revenue Board (IRB) and others.

“However, out of the total, there are nine matters still in the negotiation process, namely Federal Financial Obligations Under List III, Joint List, Ninth Schedule, Federal Constitution; Increase in Sabah Sarawak Public Service Posts Under Article 112 of the Federal Constitution; Borneonisation of the Federal Public Service in Sabah and Sarawak; Development of the Sabah-Sarawak-Kalimantan Border Area.

“In addition, it includes an increase in the number of Dewan Rakyat Members from Sabah and Sarawak in the Dewan Rakyat; proposed amendment to Article 95B of the Federal Constitution regarding Modifications for Sabah and Sarawak regarding the Division of Legislative Powers; proposed amendment of Item 25A (Tourism) in List I (Federal), Ninth Schedule, Federal Constitution to List III (Joint), Ninth Schedule, Federal Constitution; and also health and education issues,” he said.

He assured that Sabah and Sarawak will continue to be committed to demand what should be returned to the two states.