SAPP to be vocal on MA63 issues in run-up to Sabah polls, says Yong

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) has resolved to speak out on a number of issues including full implementation of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) ahead of the state elections due by October next year.

This resolution was made by the party's supreme council at its meeting here on Saturday (Jan 20), said its president Datuk Seri Yong Teck Lee.

"Some people think that fulfilling the 40% net revenue entitlement will complete the implementation of MA63 but... it is only one of several unfulfilled Sabah rights under MA63," said the former chief minister.

"MA63 includes political autonomy for the state whereby non-local parties respect Sabah autonomy by not interfering in Sabah politics.

"Autonomy in a federal system like Malaysia means that the Sabah government and the Federal Government of the day respect and accept each other irrespective of political alignment at the federal level," he explained.

Yong, a nominated assemblyman, said apart from the Borneanisation (gradual inclusion of the people of Sabah and Sarawak) of the public service and judicial appointments, MA63 also includes the return of Labuan and the territorial seas of Sabah.

Labuan was surrendered to the Federal Government in 1984 whereas the territorial seas of Sabah were federalised by the Territorial Seas Act 2012, he added.

He said SAPP is also proposing that an amendment be made to the Sabah constitution for the title of head of state to revert to the original 1963 Tuan Yang Terutama (TYT) Yang Di Pertua Negara and no longer TYT Negeri.

"Another proposed amendment is that the post of (state) assistant minister be upgraded to deputy minister.

"Not forgetting the core issues facing Sabah for many years, SAPP will also take up the (matter) of land reforms so that native customary rights are truly and effectively respected.

"SAPP will also pursue the implementation of the Sabah identity card so that genuine Sabahans possess documentary recognition as Sabahans with rights and privileges to land, local licences, scholarships, government posts, as well as welfare and financial assistance," said Yong.

SAPP is part of the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) ruling state government and the Opposition Perikatan Nasional at federal level.