PRIME Minister Anwar Ibrahim should be recognised as “Bapa Malaysia” (Father of Malaysia) for his contribution to the whole nation, including his undivided support and attention given to Sabah and Sarawak, a PKR delegate suggested today. 

Antakor Rasam, in his debate session today, said upon appointment as the prime minister a year ago, the PKR president had shown his commitment to restore Sabah and Sarawak as equal partners to Peninsular Malaysia and gave equal priority as stated in the party’s constitution. 

“By the grace of God, the PKR president was appointed as the prime minister (last year). 

“(Since then) he had appointed a deputy prime minister from Borneo and immediately formed the Malaysia Agreement 1963 technical committee and recently approved a bill in parliament to amend the Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia Act 1995 so that Sabah and Sarawak can have representatives sit on its board.

“This has never been done by any other prime ministers before. With that, I think there shouldn’t be any doubt anymore. Anwar must be regarded as ‘Bapa Malaysia’,” Sabah delegate Rasam said while delivering his debate speech at the party’s annual congress today.

Anwar has always voiced his support for Sabah and Sarawak.

Since his appointment as prime minister, the Pakatan Harapan chairman had appointed Fadillah Yusof as deputy prime minister, the first from east Malaysia. 

Anwar has also committed to implement the contents of the MA63 agreement, increase the annual special grants for Sabah and Sarawak to RM300 million and RM260 million respectively, up from RM16 million and RM26 million, previously.

Much recently, Dewan Rakyat passed a bill to have Sabah and Sarawak governments appointed as members of the Inland Revenue Board of directors. 

Rasam alleged that no other national party, besides PKR has stated about the rights of MA63 in their party’s constitution. 

“This shows that PKR is a national party with a Malaysian spirit. 

“Even our friends in Sabah, who used to be opponents but now friends, always questioned the commitments (on MA63) if PKR becomes the government.

“God willing the PKR president was appointed (and he is proving),” he added. – November 26, 2023.