KOTA KINABALU: The call by Sabah STAR president Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan on national parties to not contest in the state is in line with the sentiments of the Sabah people, says Datuk Seri Yong Teck Lee.
"Kitingan's statement emphasising the need to exclude national political parties from Sabah resonates with the growing sentiment among Sabahans that the governance of Sabah should be decided by Sabahans and local parties, " said the Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) president.
He said Sabah-based parties would be more focused on state needs as there have been incidents when elected representatives from national parties withdrew cases seeking state rights under Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
"Is it merely coincidental that all the MPs and assemblymen abruptly withdrew the 2021 lawsuit against the federal government over the 40% tax revenue entitlement?
"Is it also coincidental that none of the national parties voiced support for the proposal to allocate 35% of parliamentary seats to Sabah and Sarawak?" Yong asked.
He also claimed that the "unfortunate political reality" was that Sabah leaders from national parties are constrained by the power equation that favours Kuala Lumpur.
"This lopsided dynamic has allowed 'national parties' to undermine Sabah's constitutional autonomy as enshrined in MA63," Yong said, adding that calls for the full implementation of MA63 had become louder.
