KOTA KINABALU: A Warisan lawmaker has reminded all political leaders, especially those from the peninsula to respect the sanctity of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
In a statement here on Tuesday (July 12), Sri Tanjong assemblyman Justin Wong pointed out that the MA63 was the bedrock of the formation of the federation of Malaysia.
He added that leaders must not simply utter suggestions that disrespected a prior signed agreement.
“If our leaders are not leading by example that a signed agreement should be honoured, more so that it has been registered in the United Nations and became a Treaty, how do we convince our rakyat that Malaysia is a country of law?
“It is trite law that once an agreement or contract is signed, it cannot be unilaterally withdrawn or substituted without the agreement of all parties.”
Wong was commenting on the proposal by Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan during the Sabah Barisan Nasional convention earlier this month that the state Barisan leadership propose a New Malaysia Agreement as a more concrete way forward toward realising the state's rights and demands enshrined under the MA63.
The Barisan deputy chairman said the New Malaysia Agreement needed to be underpinned by a new spirit, context and aspirations in restoring the rights and interests of Sabah, and at the same time, strengthening the Federation of Malaysia.
Mohamad was later reported to have said that he was merely putting forward a suggestion, saying it was up to the relevant stakeholders to find the best solution.
Wong said when the MA63 was signed, the four signatories namely the Federation of Malaya, Sarawak, North Borneo and Singapore were respectively independent states or countries with their own jurisdiction and sovereignty.
“As such, the agreement in nature is a legally binding contract whereby all parties have mutual obligations to honour the terms set in the agreement which formed the basis of our existence as a federation.
“Perhaps I should remind them again when the agreement was signed, all states had their own leadership and legal advisers to keep them informed of the legal implications before entering into this agreement,” he said.
Towards this end, Wong said he was bewildered that Sabah Barisan leaders spoke up against Mohamad’s proposal, particularly from Sabah Umno.
Meanwhile, Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS) information chief Datuk Freddie Sua said the party will continue to uphold the state’s demands for its rights to be delivered by Putrajaya.
“As the sole local-based component party in Barisan, we remain committed to ensure Sabah’s position is guaranteed in the Federation of Malaysia,” Sua said, in a statement here on Tuesday (July 12).
He said this was among PBRS’ main struggles when it was formed in 1994.
He added it has been proven that the Federal government has moved forward in ensuring the MA63 is realised.
This is after, he said, the administration led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob managed to bring about a constitutional amendment to restore Sabah and Sarawak as equal partners to Peninsular Malaysia.
“This was the first and significant step towards continuing the agenda to fulfil the rights and privilege of Sabah and Sarawak as equal partners in the Malaysian federation as enshrined under the MA63.
“Hence, PBRS has been consistent and committed in its stand that the principles and main contents of the MA63 must be respected and implemented by the government,” Sua said.
