Focus on getting back state rights under MA63, Shafie tells Sabah govt

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah government leaders should focus on moving forward with the key issues agreed by the Federal Government under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), says Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal.

The Parti Warisan president said it was not about arguing or taking credit on who got back state rights but the issue was about the people in the government of the day that should pursue in recovering the rights agreed upon previously by the state and federal governments.

He said the state and federal governments (2018-20) had resolved 17 of 21 key issues when he was chief minister and Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad as premier.

He said it was approved at the high-level committee but the process of implementation has not been completed.

As such, Shafie said it was now incumbent on the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) state government and its leaders to secure the implementation of those issues agreed by the Federal Government to be returned to Sabah.

He said the issues agreed on related to land, Sipadan and Ligitan Island, labour, health, safety and as well judicial rights for Sabah and Sarawak.

"Some of the matters have not been resolved including the state taking back Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB)," he added.

Speaking to reporters after meeting tenants at the Tanjung Aru low-cost flats here on Sunday (July 16), Shafie said the issue was about completing the process of securing the rights that were agreed on.

"Now there is a minister in charge of MA63, there is no need to say much, just do it because you are in power, you have a position and do as I have done," he said, referring to Sabah Affairs and Special Tasks Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali.

Warisan's Datuk Azis Jamman and Armizan have been locked in a spat over the MA63 issues with both challenging each other to a public debate.

Armizan had said that Warisan failed to achieve any of the rights when it was in state government while Azis wants Armizan to declassify government documents on MA63 discussions.

Asked whether the issue should be debated, Shafie said it was up to them but emphasised that the implementation of the 21 matters of MA63 should be the priority.

On the state owned Sabah Housing and Urban Development Board’s (LPPB) decision to evict tenants at the Tanjung Aru flats, Shafie said the state government should give alternative homes for the people.

He said the current flats could be renovated as its structures were still safe.

He said the state government must look into the plight of the people, including former employees of the bankrupt Sabah Forest Industries in Sipitang.

"You can’t just chase them out, plan and prepare alternatives for the people," he added.