KOTA KINABALU: Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad today said the new Malaysia and Pakatan Harapan (PH) government will restore the equal partner status to Sabah and Sarawak.
He said the reinstatement, from the current states within Malaysia, will be made after the review on Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) has been completed.
He said returning the status of Sabah and Sarawak, as enshrined in MA63, will give the nation a solid foundation that will bring closer ties between the three territories.
“There is a need to give attention to the development of Sabah and Sarawak as there are still areas that are backward and lacking in basic amenities.
“The study of MA63 will see to the necessity to reassess several practices prior to this.
“Our hope is that whatever reassessment is made towards the practices, it must be done in the spirit of comradery, respect and tolerance.
“Without these spirit, our solidarity as a nation will cease and what we have been enjoying all this while will be lost,” he said in his speech during the Malaysia Day celebration here tonight.
Also present were Sabah Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Juhar Mahiruddin, Sabah chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal; Sarawak Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas and Communications and Multimedia Minister Gobind Singh Deo.
Dr Mahathir said the federal government has never neglected its responsibility to the two states and would work on ways to develop infrastructure based on the needs and wishes of the people there.
At the same time, he said he was confident that the long relationship forged between the Peninsular, Sabah and Sarawak would ensure tolerance among the people.
“Based on this spirit, the leaders and people of Sabah and Sarawak must also realise that there are states in the Peninsular that are also backward and in need of continuous support from the federal government.
“This is what I believe has brought Malaysians together. This closeness has ensured that Malaysia remains in harmony despite differences in opinions.” he added.