MA63 rights still focus of Sabah PKR despite departure of some leaders

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah PKR will continue to pursue the people’s rights as enshrined in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) despite some leaders choosing to leave the party.

Sabah PKR information chief Ahmad Farid Sanuri said the party believed that the process of joining and leaving politics was part and parcel of a mature democratic practice.

“Sabah PKR will continue moving forward with a new leadership lineup and an unwavering spirit of struggle for the sake of national political stability.

“We also wish to stress that the leadership changes will not affect the party’s commitment to continue fighting for Sabah’s rights, particularly in relation to the implementation of MA63 and the institutional reform agenda for the benefit of the people of Sabah,” he said in a statement.

Farid was commenting on the resignations of the Tuaran and Semporna branch chiefs recently.

The two branches will now be led by their deputy chiefs.

Farid said PKR has been fighting for MA63 since its establishment and this had become a key election manifesto for the party.

He said, under the current federal government, MA63 reforms have achieved their best progress with 13 out of 29 demands successfully resolved, nine of which were achieved during the current administration.

These include the recognition of Sabah and Sarawak’s Public Works Department Drainage and Irrigation Department; the transfer of gas and electricity regulatory powers to Sabah; the strengthening of Sabah and Sarawak’s judicial administration’ amendments to the Labour Ordinance; and, the conversion of Bintulu Port into a Sarawak state port.

Farid added that the federak government has also increased the interim special grant for Sabah and Sarawak from RM125.6 million to RM600 million, in addition to allocating RM6.9 billion for Sabah’s development this year, including water supply, electricity, and Pan Borneo projects.

“Most recently, the resolution of Sabah’s 40 per cent entitlement under the Madani government has reached the government-to-government level.

“All these developments prove that the reform and MA63 agendas are being implemented consistently, democratically, and based on the principles of justice for the benefit of the people.”

© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd

المصدر: New Straits Times