KUCHING: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has been urged to restore the status of equal partners of Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak by restoring the equal distribution of parliamentary seats in accordance with the spirit of Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) permanent chairman Yu Chin Liik hoped the matter could be implemented immediately.
“At the same time, at the legal level, immediately cancel all laws and administrative measures that encroach on the rights of Sabah and Sarawak.
“These laws include the Continental Shelf Act 1966, the Territorial Sea Act 2012, the Petroleum Development Act 1974 (PDA 74) and Act 354 (of the Federal Constitution) passed in 1976, among others.
“The said laws, which the new Prime Minister, if repealed first, will demonstrate his sincerity towards the closer integration of Sabah and Sarawak into Malaysia.
“The new government has the two-thirds majority of federal parliamentarians required to repeal the laws mentioned and Act 354 that encroach on the interests of Sabah and Sarawak,” he said in a statement yesterday (Dec 18).
He added the repeal of these and other acts would also restore Sabah and Sarawak’s ownership and control over their natural resources including oil and gas besides enabling Sabah and Sarawak to use the huge revenues to finance development.
“I strongly urge the Prime Minister to implement Borneoisation including the immediate Borneoisation of the civil service in Sabah and Sarawak in accordance with MA63, and ensure that it is based on merit rather than discriminatory selection based on race and religion,” he said.
Yu also urged Anwar to restore section Article 161D of the Federal Constitution on freedom of religion.
“Also, restore local defence and police forces; restore local elections; and abolish the 1970 institutionalised system of racial discrimination under the New Economic Policy (NEP).
“In the spirit of MA63 signed by equal partners, federal jurisdiction must be limited to defence, foreign affairs and internal security as agreed in 1963.
“The federal government must abide by MA63 in good faith, as repeated violations of the fundamental terms will render this international treaty non-binding, especially since 1965 with Singapore’s exit,” said Yu.
