KUCHING: A local political analyst said it is nice if Sabah and Sarawak are to be ultimately placed on equal status and of equal footing to Malaya.
Datuk Peter Minos said this is in keeping with what was agreed upon in 1963 under Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and what was originally featured in the Federal Constitution.
“Sabahans and Sarawakians have been wanting that status for a long, long time but if there is equal status in terms of politics and territorial domains but not in terms of finance, it is not enough and not up to expectation,” said Minos to the New Sarawak Tribune today.
The Kota Samarahan Municipal Council chairman said as things have been and are now, 100 per cent of the country’s incomes, firm taxes and from Petronas go to the federal coffers and that over 90 per cent of that is used for the development of Malaya.
“Very little goes to Sabah and Sarawak. This is not being equal and not being fair or equitable.
“Sarawak has been asking and pleading for some extra ringgit from Petronas and federal government but so far, the response has been lukewarm and cool,” said Minos.
He said considering that Sarawak badly needs the money to catch up with advanced Malaya and to improve the lives of many struggling and poor Sarawakians, the cool response from the federal government and Petronas is not sweet music to Sarawakians.
“Not pleasant. There is thus a general feeling that federal government controlled and dominated by Malayans, are not that concerned or that caring for the well-being of Sarawakians and definitely lacking good feeling for Sarawakians,” he added.
He said now Sarawakians can only look up and rely upon their Chief Minister to fight for their political and economic rights.
This, he said will bring about a better future with whatever Sarawak has and not to hope for or rely on the federal side.
Out of necessity, he added that Sarawak has to be self-reliant because there is not much to turn to from anywhere.
The government has agreed to amend Article 1 (2) of Federal Constitution to restore the status of Sabah and Sarawak as equal partners with Peninsular Malaysia.
Minister of Law in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Liew Vui Keong said the matter will be tabled by the Technical Work Committee for Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) in Parliament next week.
He confirmed that the Cabinet had given the green light on the proposed amendment last Wednesday.
Sarawak Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said yesterday all GPS MPs would support the amendment.
