KOTA KINABALU: Political leaders should set aside political differences, come together with commitment to resolve issues relating to the fulfillment of Malaysia Agreement (MA63), said John Charles Mitah Mikat.
John Charles, a SAPP vice president, said MA63 issue must be taken seriously and prioritized since it is long overdue.
“After 57 years, I am happy to see that Sabah and Sarawak Affairs, a special portfolio was introduced in the new Federal Cabinet and will serve as a platform in handling issues of development, socio-economic advancement of those in Sabah and Sarawak as well as to deal with the unresolved 1963 Malaysia Agreement (MA63) issues.
“The minister concerned had given hope that the problem with the MA63 can be resolved within six months. That was his speech in March 2020, more than a year ago. The people of Sabah and Sarawak were hopeful at that time and welcomed the good news,” he added.
John Charles, who is also head of SAPP Bandau Constituency Liaison Committee (CLC), hopes that it is not just lip service. “The people want concrete action. Don’t delay and disappoint the people of Sabah and Sarawak,” he added.
He also suggested that the final report of MA63 should not be kept secret from the public. Contents must be made known for people’s knowledge.
As a Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak Affairs) given a full mandate by the Federal government, Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili should play a bigger role in upholding justice and restoring the rights of Sabah and Sarawak, he said.
“Our rights have been manipulated for so long and we lagged behind in various areas especially infrastructure development. Sabah and Sarawak, the largest producers of crude oil in Malaysia (the goose that laid the golden egg) with a land mass bigger than the whole of the Peninsula, sadly are only getting a pittance, incomparably development funds.
John Charles concluded that the people especially the young adults have high hopes and expectation that resolving the MA63 issue can be done as soon as possible. No time to be wasted, he added.-pr/BNN
