Sabah Harapan invites state govt to jointly push for MA63, more autonomy

 

Sabah Pakatan Harapan has urged Chief Minister Hajiji Noor to consider joining forces to implement the “Sabah Reform Agenda”.

The agenda includes seeking more administrative autonomy, implementing the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), an anti-hopping law and establishing a land tribunal.

It also proposes a legal department for Sabah natives (Jabatan Kehakiman Anak Negeri), a native land foundation (Yayasan Tanah Anak Negeri) and an economic recovery plan.

It further calls for reform of the State Legislative Assembly, Covid-19 pandemic management plan, state politics and state security.

Leaders from the state opposition front reportedly presented their agenda document to Hajiji (above) and his deputy Jeffrey Kitingan in person yesterday.

According to Sabah and Sarawak media outlet Borneo Post Online, those in attendance included Sabah PKR chief Christina Liew, Sabah DAP chief Frankie Poon, Sabah Amanah chief Lahirul Latigu and Upko president Wilfred Madius Tangau.

Noticeably absent were political leaders from Warisan.

Not an MOU

In a statement afterwards, Sabah Harapan said the reform agenda document was timed ahead of the state budget, which will be tabled in the state assembly on Dec 3.

“Sabah Harapan is of the opinion that the Sabah Reform Agenda is long overdue and there needs to be a joint agenda involving all political parties and lawmakers, whether from the government or opposition bloc.

“Sabah Harapan welcomes the chief minister’s (Hajiji’s) commitment and assurance that he will discuss this with government component parties to get their consensus to defend and bring forth this agenda,” it said.

It emphasised that the agenda was not a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the state government.

“Sabah Harapan wants to emphasise that the Sabah Reform Agenda is not an MOU, as what was implemented at the federal government level.

“This is a recommendation for consensus so that all Sabah parties work together to defend Sabahans’ rights and demand for the MA63 to be implemented.

“And for Sabah’s autonomy in healthcare, education, natural resources, transport and Sabah’s administrative needs that are related to immigration, national registration and labour,” they said.

The federal government on Nov 3 tabled a slew of MA63 constitutional amendments in the Dewan Rakyat, for the first reading.

Back in September, national Harapan leaders signed an MOU with Putrajaya. This is a move for more political stability after Malaysia experienced three prime ministers in four years.

The MOU states that the government would implement a slew of reforms, provided that the opposition did not try to oust Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

At the time, Sabah Harapan had expressed hopes that such bipartisan spirit could be emulated at the state level.

Warisan, however, has remained principally against the MOU move. - Mkini