PAKATAN Harapan’s (PH) election manifesto for Sabah and Sarawak is not to renegotiate the terms of the Malaysia Agreement 1963, but a whole new deal for East Malaysians, says Sabah PH chairman Christina Liew. 

The PKR leader said Sabah leaders had twisted the words of PH chairman Dr Mahathir Mohamad in Kuching, Sarawak earlier this week.

“We are talking about a new deal, a better deal that is beyond the terms enshrined in the Malaysia Agreement 1963. The first part of the manifesto was launched in Sabah, and there will be parts two and three. 

“The most important thing is the new deal which is in the interest of Sabah and its people,” she told The Malaysian Insight today. 

In the latest salvo against the manifesto, Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Raymond Tan pointed out that Sabah PH’s manifesto showed the coalition was in total disagreement with Dr Mahathir and DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang to “revisit”, “renegotiate” and “repeal” the laws which violate the special rights of the East Malaysian states. 

State based Parti Warisan Sabah also noted that the Sabah special rights enshrined in MA63 is not up for renegotiation by Putrajaya, but should be adhered to, respected and implemented.  

Liew in response, reiterated that not only the manifesto was PH’s promise to deliver, Sabah PH will ask for more legislative powers once its rightful status as an equal partner in the federation restored. 

Among the items in the PH manifesto include increasing the Borneo states’ oil royalty to 20% from 5% at present and 50% revenue sharing. – September 30, 2017.