RUSSELL Michael’s eyes light up when he talks about how he wants Sabah to have more autonomy to run its affairs as specified in the 1963 Malaysia Agreement (MA63).

But he is despondent when it comes to which political party he trusts to deliver on that demand.

Michael’s dilemma is reflective of a broader trend among Sabah and Sarawak folk, as the country heads towards the 14th general election.

They demand the autonomy and a restoration of Sabah’s rights that were guaranteed – but not carried out – in MA63.

Yet at the same time, they are turned off by all political parties currently promising to implement MA63.

“I may not vote these elections. All the parties are giving the same offer (demand restoration of state rights). But none is reliable,” said the 39-year-old freelance engineer.

This list of undesirables include Barisan Nasional, Sabah’s local opposition parties with their quirky acronyms – Akar, Star, PPR, SAPP, USA, and the Pakatan Harapan coalition.

It is a sentiment which local political activists, such as Alfred Korom, finds worrying among youth.

Korom of Gabungan Sabah said the frustration and anger of youth like Michael are understandable.

“But that is not the way. We must vote. For Sabah to make sure the special rights of the state are returned, it has to be through politics, and to vote for a government,” said the 43-year-old.

Hot topic

MA63 is an international agreement with the signatories comprising the United Kingdom, Malaya, Sabah (known as North Borneo then), Sarawak and Singapore on July 9, 1963, which eventually led to the formation of Malaysia on September 16 the same year.

The agreement was enforced under the Malaysia Act 1963, involving amending the federal, Sabah and Sarawak constitutions according to the autonomous rights of both the Borneo regions known as the 20-point memorandum (Sabah) and 16-point memorandum (Sarawak).

The special rights of these two former British colonies are stipulated in the Cobbold Commission report and the Inter-Governmental Committee report – two documents that provide the safeguards on Sabah and Sarawak’s status in Malaysia and special rights after the formation of Malaysia.

But these rights were eroded when the status of Sabah and Sarawak was downgraded from equal partners to become two of the 13 states in Malaysia following amendments in the federal constitution in 1976.

The MA63 issue became a hot topic again after the 13th general election when former Sarawak chief minister Adenan Satem in 2016 proposed in the state assembly to demand a return of Sarawak’s autonomous rights.

The return of Sabah’s rights has always been a hot topic for local leaders, such as Dr Jeffrey Kitingan who has made a career out of campaigning for MA63.

Kitingan was detained for three years in 1991 during Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s tenure under the draconian Internal Security Act (ISA) on allegations of leading a campaign to get Sabah to secede from Malaysia.

He said his detention had been largely due to his demands for a return of Sabah’s rights under the 20-point memorandum and more oil royalties.

After the 12th general election in 2008, Kitingan continued his campaign under the banner of the United Borneo Front (UBF).

“In GE14, it doesn’t matter if BN still captures Parliament but BN must be ousted from the state,” Jeffrey said.

Old faces

But for voters like Michael, Kitingan’s stature has been tarnished despite his reputation as an advocate for autonomy.

Jeffrey, who is one of the leaders of the United Sabah Alliance (USA), is known to be a political frog, said Michael.

Jeffrey was once a member of BN’s Parti Bersatu Sabah, Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah, Parti Angkatan Keadilan Rakyat (Akar) and also United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut (Upko).

He had also applied to be a member of Umno, but was rejected.

After he left BN, Jeffrey founded the State Reform Party (Star) in 2012, and allied with Sarawak Star led by Patau Rubis.

On November 16 last year, Sabah Star formed the Gabungan Sabah or USA, a coalition with local opposition parties.

These include former BN party Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) led by former chief minister Yong Teck Lee, Parti Harapan Rakyat Sabah led by Lajim Ukin and Parti Perpaduan Rakyat Sabah (PPR) led by Arshad Abdul Mualap.

“These leaders are all seasoned politicians. Sabahans now want to see new faces in the scene… and these individuals like Yong, Jeffrey and others can become advisers to the new batch of leaders,” said Michael, elaborating on his dejection with Sabah’s parties.

Neither does he feel attracted to PH’s new deal for Sabah and Sarawak launched last month.

Among the highlights of the deal are a deputy prime minister’s post for Sabah and Sarawak and higher petroleum royalty payments for Sabah.

“It’s not just me, but my friends who share my feelings. We don’t feel like voting in the elections,” said Michael.

He is equally dismissive of Parti Warisan Sabah established one year ago by former Umno vice-president and Sabah Umno strongman Shafie Apdal.

He feels that Shafie is insincere of fighting for the rights of Sabahans.

“Why is Shafie fighting for these rights now?”

Although he is worried, Korom is optimistic about changing these sentiments.

“The youth are like this now. But it doesn’t matter. There’s still time to change their minds before the elections.” – October 17, 2017.