KOTA KINABALU: The first gathering, attended by approximately 400 individuals from 19 non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and political leaders, marks the start of the demand for 40 percent of Sabah’s rights from the Federal Government.
Tuaran Member of Parliament, Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau, expressed that the people of Sabah are hopeful for a positive outcome from the negotiations based on the High Court’s order last October.
However, he noted that the matter has now been postponed following the Federal Government’s application being granted by the Court of Appeal.
“The negotiations were supposed to conclude on April 15, but have been postponed after the Federal Government requested a delay in the Court of Appeal, and that request was approved.
“We, as representatives, have long voiced our concerns, and the people can only express their voices through the ballot box. But this time, we are starting with a peaceful assembly today to demand that our rights be fulfilled,” he stated.
He made these remarks at the Justice4Sabah 40 Percent Rights Peaceful Assembly at Padang Merdeka here on Friday.
Also present were Ranau Member of Parliament, Datuk Jonathan Yasin; Keningau Member of Parliament, Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan; Moyog State Assemblyman (ADUN), Datuk Donald Mojuntin; and Nominated assemblyman, Datuk Roger Chin.
Madius stated that the peaceful assembly is an effort to ensure that Putrajaya implements the 40 percent rights of Sabah, which have been denied for over 50 years under the constitutional rights of Sabah.
“The High Court stated that the 40 percent rights still exist, and today the Federal Government has only just recognized those rights. This reflects the leadership’s attitude; if we do not consistently voice our concerns, it could be denied.
“Only when the court ordered the Federal and state governments to negotiate did the negotiations begin, but now they have been postponed again,” he said.
In this regard, Madius emphasized that the assembly aims to ensure that negotiations regarding the implementation of the 40 percent rights continue and that the people of Sabah are informed about every matter that has already been raised.
Source – Nabalu News
