Fulfill Malaysia Agreement pledges now - Dr. Jeffrey

KENINGAU -  “Thousands of Malaysians in Sabah converged at the Batu Sumpah Monument today to commemorate the 53rd Malaysia Day and demanding that the Federal government fulfill the promises and assurances leading up to the signing of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 upon which Malaysia was proclaimed as a new Federation on 16th September 1963.

In leading the call, Dr. Jeffrey Kitingan, the Assemblyman for Bingkor and who is also President of STAR, said that the dream and aspiration of the founding fathers of Sabah and Sarawak was to see their homeland as a free and independent nation with the commonwealth of nations.

Malaysia, he said was their hope of achieving this dream.  But 53 years on, this dream have been shattered by a trial of broken promises and have become a nightmare for the present Malaysians in Sabah.

Not even the promises carved in stone at the Batu Sumpah or the pledges written and expressed in the Federal Constitution, he said.

Sabahans are now questioning the sincerity and real intentions of forming Malaysia – especially among the young and educated Sabahans.

Was Malaysia formed merely as a conduit for the takeover of the British colonies while they were political infants?  

If so, why did the British and Malayan leaders promised independence and deconlonisation through the formation of Malaysia ONLY to make Sabah and Sarawak sign an international treaty while they were still colonies?

Why were the Borneon leaders told that Malaysia would be a “partnership” of equal status in a new Federation called “Malaysia” but the Malayan United Nation Permanent Representative was telling the UN that it is merely an expansion of Malaya whose name will now be called Malaysia but at the same time at the Proclamation of Malaysia on Malaysia Day it was announced to the whole world that Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore was to be federated with the Federation of Malaya?

Why? Why? Why?

Did the British conspire with Malayan leaders to “Cheat” and mislead the politically immature Borneon leaders?

Clearly, there were contradictions and inconsistencies in the actions and statements of their leaders the truths of which are revealing themselves today.

The London Talks between Britain and Malaya in November 1962 and the British Parliamentary Hansard in London say that the Federation of Malaysia would be a new Federation of five entities, Malaya, Singapore, Sabah (then North Borneo), Sarawak and Brunei (who pulled out at the last minute).

A.J. Stockwell in his book, British Documents At the End of Empire, which included recently de-classified British documents said that the “ultimate objective of Malaysia is a confederation of Malaya, Singapore, Sabah, Sarawak and Brunei”.

Even the Proclamation of Malaysia stated that “…. it was agreed that Borth Borneo, Sarawak and Singapore are to be federated with the FEDERATION OF MALAYA …” and not with the existing States of Malaya.

Dr. Jeffrey said Article 8 of MA63 also clearly spelt out the obligations of the merging entities including the government of the Federation of Malaya.   WHERE IS THE FEDERATION OF MALAYA NOW?

If Malaya is now Malaysia, then it is clear that the Borneo leaders have been cheated and misled – this is clearly not what Sabahan leaders wanted – to be Malaya’s State No. 12 or 13!

What Sabahans want now, after agonizing for 53 years, is to put things right.

Today, 16th September, they are here from all wlks of life and from all over Malaysia, Sabah, Sarawak and Malaya, to DEMAND THE FOLLOWING:-

(1)           that the relationship among the merging partners of Malaya, Sabah and Sarawak be corrected, as 1 of 3 and not 1 of 13;

(2)           that a new Agreement and a new Federal Constitution be drawn based on equal and genuine partnership;

(3)           that the Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC) be reactivated with the participation of Britain to facilitate (1) and (2) above;

(4)           that while (1) to (3) above are being activated, the pledges, undertakings and assurances contained in the MA63, the IGC Report and the Batu Sumpah be implemented;

(5)           that the urgent and critical assurances and undertakings of the rights of the Borneo States be implemented.  Among them are:-

(a)           political autonomy/franchise, that is including no political interference from Kuala Lumpur or Putrajaya and illegal immigrants problem resolved and the electoral rolls cleaned up with no Project IC voters;

(b)           Revenue rights as per Article 112C and the Tenth Schedule of the Federal Constitution including the 40% net revenue derived by the Federation from Sabah; the 10% export duties on petroleum in lieu of the royalties and the 10% import and excise duties on petroleum products imported into Sabah;

(c)            Freedom of religion to be practiced in words and actions;

(d)           Internal security in Sabah to be shared or concurrent responsibility;

(e)           Native rights and Adat are to be fully respected;

(f)             The constitutional rights of Sabah on land and natural resources to be fully restored and respected with the oil and gas ownership returned to Sabah;

(g)           State education to be Sabah’s responsibility.

Both Umno-controlled Federal and Sbah governments should heed the warnings and advice given by the Chairman of the Cobbold Commission, Lord Cobbold, who said that:-

                “If any idea was to take root that Malaysia would involve a takeover of the Borneo Territories by the Federation of Malaya and the submersion of the individualities of North Borneo and Sarawak, Malaysia would not, in my judgment, be generally acceptable or successful.”

And Sir William Goode, the last Governor of British North Borneo, who said:-

“… Tunku (Tunku Abdul Rahman) must avoid taking over the Borneo Territories as colonies ….. any impression of being transferred as colonies will provoke a “Merdeka” movement against Kuala Lumpur, potentially irresistible”

The signs are already there such as SSKM.

Therefore, the Federal and Sabah governments with the Sarawak government must resolve MA63, if they want Malaysia saved from self-disintegration.

The solemn Commemoration ceremony to mark the 53th anniversary of the formation of Malaysia was officiated by Datuk Mohd Noor Mansoor, the Chairman of Gabungan Sabah (United Sabah Alliance-USA) and attended by Datuk Wilfred Bumburing, President of Parti Cinta Sabah, Datuk Yong Teck Lee, President of SAPP, other party leaders and a 2,000 strong crowd including a 20-member delegation from Sarawak led by Priscilla Lau and Moh Hiong King.  

The Oath Renewal ceremony was officiated by Chief Bobolians, Longut Gulim and Muri Gulim of Kg. Baru Bingkor, who also advised that the Batu Sumpah Oath has been renewed and revitalized and that the leaders who are responsible should take steps expeditiously to honour and fulfill the Oath Pledges and the terms of the formation of Malaysia or the historical curse will befall them.