KUCHING: The Perikatan Nasional (PN) federal government must respect the legitimate rights and interests of Sabah and Sarawak.
In pointing this out, Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) Kota Sentosa chairman, Wilfred Yap added that PN should urgently address the genuine grievances of Sarawakians and Sabahans.
“PN should give priority to recognising Sabah and Sarawak as equal partners of Malaya and return the legal rights accorded to Sarawak and Sabah under the Malaysia Agreement 1963.
“It is only through improvement in the social and economic status of Sarawak and Sabah, underscored by respect and empathy for their people, their cultures and heritage that Sarawakians and Sabahans will begin to feel they are equal to their sisters and brothers in Malaya,” he said in a statement issued on Tuesday (Sep 15).
Yap, who is also the Public Complaints Bureau (PCB) chief, also reminded Sarawakians never to forget the significance of the MA63.
“It is an International Treaty for the establishment of Malaysia that was signed on July 7, 1963. MA63 points to the fact that the one and only true date to the formation of Malaysia is Sep 16, 1963 by four independent countries, namely Federation of Malaya, Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore. Singapore seceded from Malaysia on Aug 91965,” he added.
Yap wished all Malaysians “Selamat Menyambut Hari Malaysia” in conjunction with the celebration of Malaysia Day.
“As we celebrate Malaysia Day, let us all strive to enhance a spirit of patriotism and love Malaysia and recommit ourselves to further develop and strengthen the unity and understanding between the people of Sarawak, Sabah and Malaya with trust and respect for one another within the confines of MA63,” he said.
