KUALA LUMPUR: Don't play semantics and politics with regard to talk of replacing the Malaysia Agreement (MA63) with a new one, warns Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili.
"Any view that proposes having a new Malaysian agreement to replace MA63 is a distortion of the nationalist struggle of the country.
"To neglect MA63 would mean to disregard the Federation of Malaysia.
"Such views are very confusing and wayward and not in sync with the constitutional amendments which were passed in this noble House where MA63 is part of the Federal Constitution," the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department said when replying to a question raised by Datuk Mohd Azis Jamman (Warisan-Sepanggar) in Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday (July 26).
He noted that such talk did not benefit Sabahans at all and was against efforts to unite Malaysians.
"We should avoid playing semantics and politics that bring more harm than good, particularly with regard to the unity and integration of the Keluarga Malaysia (Malaysian Family)," said the Minister in charge of Sabah and Sarawak affairs.
Mohd Azis wanted to know the government's view on the talk of replacing MA63 and the implications to Sabah if this happened.
"I raised the question as the proposal was made by Keningau (Datuk Seri Dr Goeffrey Kitingan) who sits on the other side with the ruling government," Mohd Azis said, claiming also that MA63 was improperly gazetted in 1971 as no such sitting was held in Parliament for the purpose.
Kitingan (PN-Keningau), who was allowed to address Ongkili, acknowledged he was involved in such talk but said it was now irrelevant.
"The government has taken steps to fulfil the obligations under MA63 and such talk (for a new agreement) is now irrelevant," the Sabah Deputy Chief Minister said when clearing the air over his recent support for a new agreement to replace MA63.
Earlier this month, Barisan Nasional deputy chairman Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan suggested that a new Malaysian agreement would be a more concrete way forward towards realising the state’s rights and demands enshrined under MA63.
Meanwhile, Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal (Warisan-Semporna) called on the Federal Government to fulfil its obligations including Sabah’s entitlement for the return of 40% of federal revenue from the state.
He said there was no need for the government to carry out any further studies on its terms and conditions under MA63 as they were clear under the agreement.
"There is no more need for more studies as the agreement is clear," he said.
He added that the sentiments of Sabahans, if stirred, could seek a "divorce" from Malaysia as MA63 was an agreement.
Earlier, Ongkili informed the House that meetings were held every three months to look at ways to fulfil the obligations under MA63 with the next meeting to be held in September.
