THE restoration of Sabah and Sarawak’s status as equals in the federation is the first step in realising their rights, said Sabah Chief Minister Mohd Shafie Apdal today.

He said the amendment of the federal constitution was mandatory towards restoring state rights. 

“One of the election promises Pakatan Harapan made was to return the status of Sabah and Sarawak as accorded in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).

“This will fulfil the government’s promises to decentralise federal power in Sabah and Sarawak, improve quality of education and health, enhance economic growth and create more employment opportunities, among others,” he said in speech at a seminar organised by the Sabah Institute Development for Studies in Kota Kinabalu.

His speech was read by Deputy Chief Minister Jaujan Sambokong, who is also Sabah’s local government and housing minister.

Shafie said his party Warisan would continue to pursue the MA63 terms in its own way.

However, he said it was unfortunate that Pakatan Harapan had failed to secure a two-third majority in Dewan Rakyat to restore Sabah and Sarawak’s status during the parliamentary sitting in April.

Still, Shafie said the MA63 would remain as a priority for discussion between the federal government and the two states. – September 12, 2019.