Set up of federal-state relationship committee to monitor implementation of policies, says Kota Sentosa rep

KUCHING (July 27): A federal-state relationship committee needs to be set up to monitor the implementation of federal and state policies, and to ensure the responsibilities of federal and state departments do not overlap, said Kota Sentosa assemblyman Wilfred Yap.

He said the federal unity government must acknowledge the dissatisfactions felt by Sarawakians and Sabahans for the past decades due to the inequitable sharing of resources and lack of fiscal federalism, as the Borneo states did not receive the appropriate share of financial benefit.

“Any attempt to revisit Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) must be done with the aim of restructuring the Federation of Malaysia in which the states are empowered to make decisions on their own according to their uniqueness and needs,” said Yap.

He was speaking at the ‘Realising the Dreams and Visions of the People of the Borneo States’ symposium at the Borneo Cultures Museum auditorium here today.

He said both Sarawak and Sabah have accused the past federal governments of undermining their autonomy since the formation of Malaysia and they want their position as ‘equal partners’ in the federation and control over education, health and natural resources be restored.

“They (Sarawak and Sabah) are also unhappy about the tendency of federal authorities to centralise decision-making at the expense of state autonomy. Some of these concerns are genuine and must be rectified,” he added.

Yap explained that Sarawak and Sabah were accorded special positions in the federation as both states were culturally unique and less politically and economically advanced than Malaya during the country’s formation, as well as to safeguard against possible domination by Peninsula Malaysia.

As a result, he said the federal government must follow the rule of law and any breaches of assurances provided to Sarawak and Sabah under MA63 must be corrected immediately.

“The provisions of MA63 must be effectively implemented, particularly the recommendations of the IGC (Inter-Governmental Committee).

“But before this can be done, the state and federal governments must identify which jurisdictions must be returned to the state or remain under federal control,” he said.

He said the concerns of Sarawak and Sabah should be addressed not solely based on regional sentiments but what was agreed upon under the MA63 and IGC report.

“MA63 is a hot button issue in Sabah and Sarawak. It is an emotive issue just as the Malay rights and Islam to the Malays in Peninsular Malaysia,” said Yap.

Also at the symposium was Sabah deputy chief minister Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Jeffrey Kitingan, who told the attendees about his advocacy works and efforts for MA63 to be honoured since the 1980s and his detention under the feared Internal Security Act (ISA) 1960 due to his outspoken nature.

He also called for both Sarawak and Sabah to work hand in hand in pressuring the federal government to return the special rights and privileges of the Borneo states under MA63, while calling for 40 per cent of the net revenue collected in Sabah to be returned.