By NT
KOTA KINABALU: UPKO will soldier on to play a significant role in ensuring the implementation of Sabah’s rights under the Federal Constitution and the Malaysia Agreement of 1963.
Its president, Datuk Ewon Benedick, said this includes his role in the Federal Cabinet, the Special Council for the Implementation of MA63, and the MA63 MKTP Technical Committee.
“During these 60 years, we have indeed experienced various achievements and progress in many sectors, but we still have various issues and challenges.
“Our ability to respect each other, unite, and cooperate with each other in the big Malaysian family will determine the success and future of our country.
“As a Malaysian, I want to see more of the best moments that can be triggered so that the next generation can be proud of us all,” he said in a statement in conjunction with the Malaysia Day celebration today.
Ewon said that as the President of UPKO, he aspires to see this country continue to be a federation based on parliamentary democracy and a constitutional monarchy that accepts Islam as the official religion.
“But other religions can be practiced in harmony; Malay is the national language, but the mother tongue continues to be practiced; the rights of Malays and Natives of Sabah and Sarawak are respected, but other races also have rights under the constitution,” he said.
Ewon urged Malaysians to enliven the spirit of Malaysia Day by celebrating it wherever they are.
Malaysia Day is held on September 16, every year to commemorate the establishment of the Malaysian federation in 1963.
