ALL three motions filed by opposition leaders to debate the Malaysia Agreement 1963 in the Sabah assembly were rejected today.

The speaker said today, a revision on the state’s special rights has already been approved and its outcome will be forwarded to the federal government.

Parti Warisan Sabah vice-president Junz Wong said he was not surprised. The Likas assemblyman said there should be no grounds to reject the motion when Prime Minister Najib Razak had encouraged discourse on MA63 among Sabahans.

Sabah Solidariti Tanah Airku president Jeffrey Kitingan said he received the speaker’s response later in the day, calling the decision “ridiculous”.

“There is no reason to fear discussing MA63 since Najib himself said we can talk about it. We have more to gain from debating the issue in the assembly,” the Bingkor assemblyman told The Malaysian Insight.

Kitingan also said Parti Cinta Sabah president cum Bingkor assemblyman received the same response today.

The letters were signed by the Speaker Syed Abbas Syed Ali and his deputy, Johnny Mositun, citing six grounds for the rejection.

* The issue of Sabah rights, especially matters related to Article 112C and 112D, and the inter-governmental report is a top priority for the Sabah government.

* Steps are being taken to align provisions under Article 112C and 112D with the federal constitution.

* The state government has already approved a revision on the rights under MA63.

* Therefore, the revision committee on Sabah rights under MA63 has already invited all political parties, including those from the opposition, to share their views on the matter. All relevant and good views have been taken account by the committee.

* The state assembly has also been given a comprehensive update on the status of the revision, including work done and presently undergoing process.

* As mentioned previously, two committees – federal and state – have been formed to study the matter. For example, the technical committee and a steering committee. The study is at its final stage and require between two and four more meetings and the state legislative assembly will be informed of the decisions later.

Kitingan filed the motion on November 3, while Wong on November 6 and Tamparuli assemblyman Wilfred Bumburing on November 12.

Foreign Affairs Minister Anifah Aman, who co-chaired the steering committee with de facto law minister Nancy Shukri, also met Chief Minister Musa Aman to brief him on its progress.

He was later seen leaving the state assembly building with Special Tasks Minister Teo Chee Kang and MySabah group member James Ligunjang. – November 20, 2017.