By Adrian Lim
KUCHING, March 1: Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii has urged the Perikatan Nasional (PN) federal government to produce a one-year report card and be transparent on its progress concerning the restoration of Sabah and Sarawak’s rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
Dr Yii believed that this is an issue of public interest and the people want to know and monitor the report card of the ministry for Sabah and Sarawak Affairs in the Prime Minister’s Department on long-standing issues that has deprived both states of what is rightfully theirs.
“I believe it is important that the PN government fully explain to the people the progress made under their ministry in terms of restoring our rights under MA63 as well as development and socio-economic advancement of those in Sabah and Sarawak until now.
“They should show to the people of Sabah and Sarawak their “1 year Report Card” by now to make sure such sweet words are not just political rhetoric.
“All this concerns not just the rights of Sabah and Sarawak, but also has an important effect on the understanding of our current federation.
“Our rights and the spirit of the formation of Malaysia should not be treated as if it can cause national harm or disorder for it to be placed under Official Secrets Act (OSA).
“That is why, I strongly urge them to produce their “1 year report card” and be transparent with the progress of the ministry.
“We do not want a window-dressing ministry, drawing hard-earned taxpayers’ money with nothing to show,” he said in a statement today.
In the meantime, Dr Yii welcomed the recent announcement by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin highlighting that Sabah and Sarawak will be given fair treatment to bring them on par with states in Peninsular Malaysia.
Nonetheless, Dr Yii who is also a member of the Sarawak Democratic Action Party (DAP) asserted that the appointment of a minister and deputy minister overseeing Sabah and Sarawak’s affairs meant nothing if there was no progress in achieving the return of what rightfully belonged to both states and equitable development for the people.
He noted that based on public records, the Special Council on MA63 that was formed under the PN government had only met once on December 2, 2020, about 10 months after the formation of the PN government.
From then onwards until now, Dr Yii observed, there was no news of a follow-up meeting.
Hence, he called on the PN government to explain to the public what has been done by the ministry for the past one year. — DayakDaily
