BN manifesto to include MA63, says Zahid

Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. -Bernamapic

KOTA BELUD: The Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) will be incorporated into the Barisan Nasional manifesto for the general election, said Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.  

 

"Barisan guarantees that the MA63 will be in the manifesto and rights of Sabahans will be safeguarded.  

 

"We are confident that whatever in the Agreement that was taken away or had been sidelined, will be negotiated," said the Deputy Prime Minister at the ground-breaking ceremony for the Polytechnic Kota Belud, which cost RM80mil, here Friday.  

 

Dr Ahmad Zahid assured Sabahans that the Government would make good on the promise and that he will support the efforts to implement the MA63.  

 

"I will help the Prime Minister in terms of monitoring and implementing the policy," he said.  

 

He also said Barisan had implemented 97.6% of its manifesto in the 13th General Election.  

 

Barisan is expected to announce its new manifesto on April 7.  

 

Earlier, he hinted that a new candidate will be field for Kota Belud, a Bajau heartland that lies about 70km away from Kota Kinabalue, for the election. 

 

Dr Ahmad Zahid, who is also Umno de facto deputy president, said its incumbent MP, Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Dahlan, will be their "warrior in a new area".  

 

"If Kota Belud changes hands to a new player, I hope that the people will give their support to this 'local boy' to do his duties as the next MP.  

 

"I'm not announcing anyone's name, though," said Dr Ahmad Zahid.  

 

It is believed Datuk Seri Dr Salleh Said Keruak will contest the Kota Belud parliamentary seat he once held.  

 

There is also talk that Abdul Rahman moving to the Sepanggar parliament seat held by suspended Sepanggar Umno chief Datuk Jumat Idris.  

 

The Kota Belud parliamentary constituency has two state seats - Usukan and Tempasuk.

 

In 2013, Barisan Nasional won Kota Belud through Umno's Abdul Rahman, Usukan by Dr Salleh, and Tempasuk via Datuk Musbah Jamli.

 

Meanwhile, Abdul Rahman said he will throw his support behind whichever candidate Barisan fields for his seat.

 

"No matter who it is, I promise, I will come here and help him to win.

 

"We will just wait for the Prime Minister to make the candidacy announcement, which will be soon," he said in his speech at the event.  

 

Also present were Sabah Chief Minister Tan Sri Musa Aman, Deputy Higher Education Minister Datuk Dr Mary Yap Kain Ching, and Dr Salleh, who is also Communications and Multimedia Minister.