Special Tasks Minister Teo Chee Kang says nobody can take away the rights enshrined in agreement.
He said there is no need to engage in a war of words on the MA63 issue or the status of Sabah and Sarawak in the Federation.
He said as far as the Sabah government was concerned, both the Bornean states are special compared with other states in the peninsula and that this is enshrined in the Federal Constitution and cannot be changed.
He said Sabah and Sarawak have the legislative power to enact laws not only in the areas under the State List, but also on land, natural resources, local government and many other prerogatives like immigration, which states in the peninsula do not enjoy.
In addition, there are also special constitutional safeguards and provisions for special grants for the Bornean states under the Federal Constitution.
Teo, who is also chairman of the Special Rights Committee (to study the rights of Sabah under MA63), was responding to Dewan Rakyat Speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia’s opinion that Sabah was the same as other states in the peninsula.
”Pandikar is entitled to his opinion but I have said this before, in substance, we are different from all the other states in Malaya. This is a fact that cannot be denied.”
He said there should be less focus on semantics and more on substance, adding that the issue should not be used for political mileage.
He once again stressed that the Sabah government has its own way of dealing with the federal government in matters pertaining to restoration of state rights and devolution of power.
“The Special Rights Committee was set up to address these matters and I believe we are heading in the right direction,” he said.
Teo, who is also Liberal Democratic Party president, said Prime Minister Najib Razak had recently given an assurance that any eroded rights of Sabah unintentionally taken by Kuala Lumpur will be returned.
“The PM’s assurance shows that the federal government is committed to resolving all issues pertaining to MA63 with Sabah.” said Teo.
During the launching of the 32nd Parti Bersatu Sabah congress on Nov 18, Najib said he shared Sabah’s sentiments with regard to MA63 but had asked Sabahans to give the government time to interpret the 1963 agreement before it makes changes.
Teo further commented that it was more important to uphold Sabah’s substantive rights under the law instead of arguing over semantics.
“I believe we all want what’s best for Sabah and Sarawak as parties to MA63, and as parties which formed the Malaysian Federation.
“So let us work in solidarity towards this single objective,” he said.
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