KOTA KINABALU: Barisan Nasional component Liberal Democratic Party assures it will continue the effort to restore Sabah’s special rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and the Federal Constitution.
In making the stand, LDP president Datuk Seri Teo Chee Kang said this was in tandem with what the State government has initiated.
Teo who is also Special Tasks Minister said these efforts have gained momentum since their last congress where he had put forward the case for Sabah and Sarawak.
He also listed several developments including the comprehensive report with input from both political divide handed to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak in May.
Among others the announcement by Najib on the exemption of the cabotage policy for Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan effective June.
Teo said Najib’s assurance that matters pertaining to the rights of the people from the two States as guaranteed in the MA63 will be negotiated with the Federal government in a brotherly manner, clearly shows the Prime Minister’s respect.
“Today, more than 50 percent of the heads of Federal Departments in Sabah are Sabahans.
“The percentage of Sabahan teachers serving in the schools in Sabah is close to the targeted 90 percent.
“As a Sabah-based party, LDP shall continue to be a voice for restoration of Sabah state rights, as well as devolution of more federal powers to the State,” he stressed.
Teo pointed out the Pakatan Harapan manifesto of promising a ‘new deal’ for Sabah is not needed as the eastern States only wanted to get what was agreed in MA63.
He also unrealistic promises by Pakatan Harapan such as the appointment of a deputy prime minister for east Malaysia showed they are desperate for support from Sabah and Sarawak.
Highlighting the opposition party’s lack of credibility, Teo noted that Pakatan Harapan in Sabah has also lost eight state assemblymen out of the 11 state seats won during the last election (then Pakatan Rakyat), when they ditched the coalition to join state-based opposition, the Barisan Nasional components or become independent representatives.
On the 14th general election, Teo said if the 13 additional State seats are not adopted then, LDP will contest in the four State seats entrusted to them by BN namely Tanjong Kapor, Likas, Karamunting and Merotai as well as Sandakan parliamentary seat.
Teo in his speech also reiterated the party’s firm stance against Pas president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang’s Private Member’s Bill to amend the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act (RUU355) and the implementation of Hudud Law promoted by Pas, as doing so will create two separate criminal justice systems for Muslims and non-Muslims.