Sabah’s equal partner status needs to be addressed immediately – Upko

KOTA KINABALU: Upko is committed to ensuring that the rights of Sabah embodied in the 1963 Malaysia Agreement (MA63) are protected and fulfilled, said the party’s acting president Datuk Seri Panglima Wilfred Madius Tangau yesterday.

He said there were some issues that need to be addressed urgently, and most importantly, Sabah’s position as “equal partner” within the Federation of Malaysia.

He said the party received good commitment from Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad who had during the recent Malaysia Day celebrations pledged to restore the status of “equal partner” to Sabah and Sarawak within the Federation.

“Upko has long been struggling to correct this situation. Upko is very much anxious to amend the Article 1 (2) of the Malaysian Constitution which was amended in 1976 to enable the “equal partner” status to be returned to Sabah and Sarawak,” Madius said in his policy speech at the party’s 15th triennial general meeting here yesterday.

Madius, who is Deputy Chief Minister cum Minister of Trade and Industry, also called for the Land Ordinance 68 to be amended immediately.

“So that Sabah has full autonomy over land amd underground minerals to the end of the continental shelves within the state’s boundaries as it was during the formation of Malaysia in 1963,” he said.

Upko, he added, would also work hard to ensure that the rights promised in MA63 are returned and implemented immediately.

“These rights have been promised to the people of Sabah but were increasingly eroded.

“Autonomous rights, for example, in education and the use of English in Sabah, need not be questioned.

Madius also reiterated Upko’s decision to ditch the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition during the 14th general election in May this year, and joined the Warisan-Pakatan Harapan alliance led by current Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal.

He said he was aware of the various attacks and fingers’ pointing aimed at Upko from “old friends” accusing Upko of betraying BN.

“I understand their anger. But Upko took a bold decision because Upko is not willing to betray the votes of the majority of Sabahans solely to ensure BN remains a government in Sabah.

“I am convinced that the administration of Datuk Mohd Shafie is fair and just. He is treating me, Upko, as true partner.

“Together, we can make this coalition government a caring and just authority for all.”