UMNO’s failure to return Sabah’s lost rights is among the main reasons for Anifah Aman to quit the party.

The Kimanis MP had relinquished all his positions in Umno, conceding that the loss of Umno in the 14th general election (GE14) also meant his struggles to fight for the return of Sabah’s rights no longer can continue.

“I made the decision because I have already promised my voters in Kimanis and Sabahans in general that I will leave Umno if it fails to keep its promise on matters related to the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).

“I concede that without Umno and BN in power, all my struggles have failed. I will be true to my promise as my struggles under this party can no longer continue,” he said in a statement today.

The former foreign minister, who is the brother to former Sabah chief minister Musa Aman, had been experimental in forming the MySabah group which aimed to fight for the return of state rights.

He had also been the Sabah Umno leader who had raised the matter to former prime minister Najib Razak to address with the MA63 issue.

This led to the formation of the technical committee on the devolution of authority, which he co-chaired with former law minister Nancy Shukri.

Anifah said his political struggles are clear and firm as he wants Sabahans to be treated fairly and all their rights implemented without any strings attached.

He noted the subject of MA63 is dear to him as it led to the formation of the Federation of Malaysia.

“Although, I am no longer in Umno, I will still continue to fight for the people and will carry on my duties as MP and raise the issues and hopes of those in Parliament.

“The Pakatan Harapan (PH) government must be committed in delivering its pledges to return the rights of Sabah and Sarawak in accordance to MA63,” he said.

On September 16, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said his government will make Sabah and Sarawak as equal partners of Peninsular Malaysia following a study on the MA63.

This is part of PH’s election manifesto. – September 19, 2018.