KUCHING: It is hoped that the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) can help to reclaim the rights of people in Sabah and Sarawak as stated in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), which has eroded over the years.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Parliament and Law) Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said the people in Sabah and Sarawak should be able to see more progress taking place at an accelerated rate in the next few years.
He said since independence, the people in these two states have been longing to enjoy development similar to those residing in Peninsular Malaysia.
Citing history, he said, among the reasons why leaders in Sarawak and Sabah had agreed to be part of Malaysia in 1963 was because they were impressed by the system and well-planned development in the peninsula.
"This was the 'unspoken promise' to the people in Sarawak and Sabah upon forming Malaysia – that they too can enjoy similar development status."
Nevertheless, Wan Junaidi is optimistic that the current government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, is committed to the development of these two states, which is one of the priority areas under 12MP.
"This is the hard truth; over 40 per cent of the people in Borneo are still living in rural areas, lacking in basic facilities and infrastructure namely connectivity, communication, electricity, education as well as healthcare.
"As a Sarawakian-born federal minister, I hope more development and progress will take place in the two states so that we will be able to enjoy the same facilities and infrastructure as the people in Peninsular Malaysia," he said.
In the spirit of Keluarga Malaysia, Wan Junaidi also reminded the government to not lose sight of the people's happiness level and to ensure everyone will be able to enjoy the benefit of the country's economic growth.
"Malaysia is a developing country and most Malaysians are living in urban areas. As such, it is timely for us to also look into issues concerning urban poverty namely affordable housing, improve social safety and a more effective poverty eradication programme.
"In our pursuit to achieve economic greatness, we must make sure no one is left behind. Thus, I would also like to propose for the government to focus on development initiatives, beyond the Klang Valley area."
He said there were many states in the country that were still not doing well economically and it was time to help them out so that Malaysia can have a more balanced social and economic growth throughout the country.