Sabah, Sarawak opposition welcome Citizens’ Declaration

Sapp President Yong Teck Lee expressed disappointment however that the Declaration “completely forgot the plight of the Borneo territories” and became a "Malayan affair".

KOTA KINABALU: Two Opposition leaders in Sabah and Sarawak have welcomed the Citizens’ Declaration in principle but not without Sabah Progressive Party (Sapp) President Yong Teck Lee expressing disappointment that those who came up with the said document “completely forgot the plight of the Borneo territories”.

As a result, he complained, the Citizens Declaration has become an entirely “Malayan affair”.

Sarawak Opposition Leader Baru Bian, also Ba Ke’lalan Assemblyman, used the Declaration to remind Chief Minister Adenan Satem that “a man is known by the company that he keeps” in urging him to keep away from embattled Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak. “The question for the Chief Minister was whether he will continue to declare his admiration and support for this man who has behaved without honour and honesty since assuming office.”

“The Chief Minister must realize that Najib’s days are numbered.”

Baru reiterated that Adenan should detach himself fully from Najib and hold him at arm’s length instead of continuing to embrace him “so affectionately” each time he comes to Sarawak. “If he does not keep away from Najib, we ask Sarawakians to remember this when the time comes for them to cast their votes.”

“The time for change has come.”

The signing of the Citizen’s Declaration for “the removal of Najib”, said Baru, was a positive step in the fight to restore the dignity of the country. “This declaration deserves our support as it’s not merely a call to remove this corruption-tainted Prime Minister and his cohorts, but it also demands institutional changes.”

“It’s not enough to remove Najib. Otherwise, after one Najib is gone, another Najib will come.”

Baru went on to plead that the people give the Declaration a chance. “The Declaration demands the repeal of laws which violate the Federal Constitution, and calls for the restoration of the integrity of public institutions like the police, Bank Negara, MACC, and PAC.”

Yong believes that the Citizens’ Declaration, dubbed an “anti-Najib declaration”, gives new hope that finally change can be achieved in the near future. “The Declaration should have also called for the abolition of unfair policies imposed on Sabah such as the National Cabotage Policy and the Malayanisation of the civil service and the return of Labuan to Sabah.”

The Declaration, believes Yong, should have been an excellent opportunity to recognize the autonomy of Sabah and Sarawak promised in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and urged the dropping of criminal charges against Sabahan activists who had championed compliance with MA63. “The Declaration should have called for the Integrity of the National Registration Department (NRD).”

“The sanctity of citizenship documents must be preserved.”