Sabah is a state or country, Sabah is not a 'wilayah'

KOTA KINABALU - Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (Star) President Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan says the term territory used on the position of Sabah in Malaysia must be defined in the correct context or else confusion will arise like what is happening right now.

He said people must never forget the historical fact that Sabah was once a country from August 31, 1963, before the formation of the Federation of Malaysia on September 16 that same year.

"On its own, Sabah is not a 'wilayah" (territory) but a State or country.

"But when you call Sabah as a "wilayah" in the context of Malaysia comprising three regional entities (Malaya, Sabah and Sarawak), then it is correct because you are actually equating the territories," he said.

He was commenting on reports that the Special Committee set up to review the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) would meet to discuss amending the Federal Constitution to recognise Sabah as a territory.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal, in reply to Dr Jeffrey's question during the State Assembly sitting earlier this week, had said the Special Committee would be holding its first meeting in the near future to identify the scope of review and issues related to the MA63.

During the formation of Malaysia on Sept 16, 1963, Sabah, Sarawak, Singapore, and the Federation of Malaya merged as equal partners. Singapore however exited two years later.

In 1976, by act of Parliament, the constitution was amended to downgrade Sabah and Sarawak as the 12th and 13th state of Malaysia instead of equal partners.

"I fully understand the anger and confusion of the public when they hear of Sabah being a wilayah after having struggled to free Sabah and Sarawak of being the 12th and 13th subordinate states equal to the state of Perlis."

"Hence, we must be careful how we use the term "wilayah" in the current scenario as the immediate reaction would be negative because the public now relate "wilayah" as equivalent to Labuan and the federal territories," he said.

He insisted that Peninsula Malaysia be called Malaya to cut further confusion.

"Malaysia comprises Malaya, Sabah and Sarawak. Or revert to West Malaysia and East Malaysia, which would be worse," he said, adding that Sabah and Sarawak must be recognised as independent entities.

Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad had announced in September that the status of Sabah and Sarawak as equal partners in the nation will be restored under the New Malaysia and Pakatan Harapan federal government. - Leonard Alaza

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