KOTA KINABALU: Sabah UMNO proposes that a ‘Round Table Secretariat’ be established for all parties in Sabah to discuss and refine issues involving the 40 percent special grant as outlined in the 1963 Malaysia Agreement (MA63).
Sabah UMNO Elections Director Jeffrey Nor said Sabah UMNO can chair this Secretariat due to UMNO being a local and national party, including having the largest number of coalitions at the federal level.
He said that this step certainly gives an advantage to ensuring that everything written in MA63, including the special grant of 40 percent, will be realised.
“Dayus for us, Sabah UMNO, if it does not fight for these issues, which are very close to the hearts of the people of Sabah.
“Sabah UMNO insists on its stance that fighting for the rights of the people of Sabah should be a priority, especially involving special grants as stated in MA63.
“If only four Members of Parliament speak and ask, of course it will not bring any political clout… But if we can be together in this demand, and most importantly, no one is’showing a hero’, of course it will have a great impact on this demand,” he said in a statement today.
Jeffrey Nor said that he was aware a few days ago of several statements by Sabah MPs holding a press conference regarding special grants from the federal government to the state government.
“I am also aware of the demands of the Member of Parliament regarding the explanation of what formula can be used by the federal government to give a special 40 percent to the state of Sabah.
“There is no need for any party to point fingers at the other party. Everyone knows that this demand is with the current government and with us in the previous state government.
“It’s okay; what has happened has happened, and now is the time for us to take a closer look at this issue seriously and try to resolve this special grant,” explained Jeffrey Nor.
According to him, the move to establish the Round Table Secretariat is the best avenue for all parties to come together to find a way to refine all the issues involving this special grant as well as in the MA63 agreement.
