Referendum on Sabah and Sarawak’s position unnecessary

KOTA KINABALU: A referendum on the position of Sabah and Sarawak in the federation is unnecessary as a majority of Malaysians in both states want an intact nation.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Nancy Shukri said most Sabahans and Sarawakians realise that both states had benefited from being in the federation.

“I do not think it is fair to turn our backs on those who have been helping us (Sabah and Sarawak) in so many ways,” she said when commenting on individuals calling for secession on social media.

Nancy said at the time of the nation’s founding, Sabah and Sarawak did not have sufficient trained individuals to administer both states.

“Through the federation, we have schools and our security is taken care of.

“Both states have also been accorded specials rights. If we were to have decided to go it alone, we would not be where we are today.

“Because we are a team, we can achieve what have today,” she told reporters after launching a seminar on rights and issues of women and children here on Monday.

She said the federal government was doing everything possible to address the needs and concerns of Malaysians in both state, adding that results would take time.

On another matter, Nancy said a further streamlining of the proposed National Harmony Act is underway to include provisions in the Sedition Act.

The de facto law minister said this was among the matters being looked into by Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail.