The Malaysian Insight

SABAH Chief Minister Shafie Apdal welcomed efforts by state assemblyman to file a motion on the restoration of Sabah as equal partners in Malaysia.  

He said there was a need to end all semantic debates and keep the matter from becoming overly politicised. 

“I think (the motion) will bring forth new enthusiasm in the state assembly. It is not just for the government but also takes into account the views of all quarters. 

“I agree the matter should not be politicised. 

“I don’t have a problem if any of us were to state our intentions during these three days of sitting,” he said during the question-and-answer session at the state assembly sitting in Kota Kinabalu today. 

Shafie was responding to a question from Karanaan rep Masidi Manjun, who proposed filing an emergency motion to end all “semantic” debates on Article 1(2) of the federal constitution. 

“Why don’t we make the motion in the state assembly so that any MPs who speak for Sabah in Parliament later also speaks for on behalf of all Sabah assemblymen here?” said Masidi.  

Shafie said he welcomed Masidi’s intention to propose an emergency motion on the matter so that it could be supported by all assemblymen.

The Senallang assemblyman also had no problems with the proposal including a demand for the return of Sabah’s 40% revenue rights, oil royalty, stamp duty and others.

“This is much better than a referendum, which would take more time as we have to gather the views of all members of society, like village chiefs and the public,” he said. 

Earlier, Shafie said the state government would continue fighting for the restoration of Sabah’s status as equal partners via amendment to Article 1 (2), and the return of state rights. 

On state rights, he said there was no need for Sabah to demand for the return of revenue rights as they were already contained in the federal constitution. 

Shafie said it was now only a matter of implementation. – April 15, 2019.