KOTA KINABALU: It is a misconception to believe that only leaders from GRS are capable of advocating for the interests of Sabahans, especially regarding the Malaysian Agreement 1963 (MA63) in Parliament.
To clarify this misconception, Sabah Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Datuk Seri Panglima Bung Moktar Radin emphasised that other Members of Parliament from Sabah are also diligently working to uphold the rights of the local people as outlined in MA63.
“It is essential to acknowledge that as Members of Parliament, we (Bung) actively advocate for the MA63 matters within the Dewan Rakyat.
“It should not be presumed that they are the sole champions of this issue for political advantage,” he said in a statement today.
Bung Moktar, who is also the Sabah UMNO chief, remarked that several leaders from GRS have been fostering “anti-Malaya sentiments” and have made allegations that have been circulated in the media regarding the MA63 issue.
He pointed out that this behaviour persists even though some supporters of the current GRS administration are affiliated with parties that originated from Malaya, including PKR and DAP.
Meanwhile, the Kinabatangan Member of Parliament has refuted claims that his attendance, alongside the BN Sabah delegation, at the Himpunan Perdana Rakyat event organised by the Parti Keadilan Rakyat at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) on Sunday signifies a possible alliance between BN and Pakatan Harapan (Keadilan) for the forthcoming 17th State Election (PRN).
He emphasised that their presence was solely to respond to the invitation from the Unity Government.
“Please refrain from making assumptions; this does not suggest any form of collaboration.
We are here to demonstrate support for the Unity Government, despite BN’s exclusion from it in Sabah,” he said.
The event was inaugurated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, with notable attendees including Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Nor and other BN officials, such as BN Sabah Treasurer Datuk Seri Panglima Salleh Tun Said and PBRS President Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup.
Bung further indicated that discussions regarding potential collaboration for the PRN might take place on a separate platform, involving more detailed negotiations with other parties interested in aligning or merging with BN/Umno for the upcoming elections.
Consequently, the presence of the BN delegation at the event should not be construed as an indication of collaboration for the PRN, he added.
Moreover, Bung expressed his approval of the Prime Minister’s remarks, particularly concerning the issues related to MA63, as highlighted in his address during the event.
He noted that the Prime Minister’s call for certain sentiments regarding the RM16 billion expenditure, especially from leaders of the PGRS, to be put to rest is warranted, as the central government has been actively working to address the previously raised demands.
