Photo: Bernama
KOTA KINABALU: The commitment by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to make the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) a success through the Malaysia Madani agenda must be supported by all parties, says Datuk Ewon Benedick (pic).
The Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister urged that this must be especially supported by the leadership and people in Sabah and Sarawak.
Benedick said he examined the Prime Minister's speech related to his commitment to making MA63 a success and it was translated through several immediate decisions of the Federal Government as soon as he took over the leadership of the country.
“This is very important to the people of Sabah and Sarawak because we will be celebrating the 60th anniversary of the formation of Malaysia this year.
“In fact, as soon as he launched the Malaysia Madani agenda, he left for Sarawak to chair the Sabah Sarawak Special Action Meeting.
“It is clear that Anwar's commitment and leadership as Prime Minister must be supported," he said, in a statement here on Friday (Jan 20).
Anwar, when delivering his mandate themed "Developing Malaysia Madani" in Putrjaya on Thursday (Jan 19), said the Unity Government will not marginalise minorities in Malaysia.
Madani is an acronym for a policy that embraces six core values – keMampanan (Sustainability), KesejAhteraan (Prosperity), Daya Cipta (Innovation), hormAt (Respect), keyakiNan (Trust) and Ihsan (Compassion).
The Pakatan Harapan chairman said that Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof has been tasked to lead the resolution of any problems that had previously hurt the feelings of the people of Sabah and Sarawak.
Anwar said Fadillah has been given complete trust to resolve all pending matters related to the MA63 to ensure the fate of the people in Sabah and Sarawak will be protected.
He added the MA63 meeting would be held in Kuching on Friday where most of the matters would be resolved.
Meanwhile, Ewon also welcomed Anwar's announcement that Malaysia Madani would be the new policy framework of the Federal Government.
“The Prime Minister stated the importance of excellent governance and the elimination of leakages by rejecting corruption as the main basis of the Malaysia Madani agenda.
“I agree that this is the foundation that can create a new leap for the country to be respected by the world community.
“I also take his mandate and vision as our guiding principle at the Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Ministry.
"We will fully support and implement this Malaysia Madani agenda," said the Upko president.
Upko is one of the four Pakatan component parties.
The Madani concept brought by the Unity Government was designed as an effort to map the strategy of governing the country more effectively.
The term "madani" refers to governance that is fair and effective in order to strengthen eight needs namely economy, finance, legislation, education, community, culture, urban and rural.
