By Arthur Edward
KOTA KINABALU: A year in office has seen various initiatives taken by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for Sabah, especially in fulfilling the state’s demands in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) to ensure that the Land Below the Wind does not lag behind in development, socio-economic well-being, and various crucial sectors.
Several analysts and academicians believe that Anwar was genuinely committed to ensuring the full implementation of the Malaysia formation agreement signed in 1963, subsequently making a significant impact on the lives of the Sabahans.
Local political analyst Musli Oli, for one, said Anwar’s commitment is evident, especially when he, along with Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, successfully concluded various matters through the MA63 Implementation Action Council, including the transfer of regulatory power over Sabah’s gas supply to the state.
He said it proves that the 10th Prime Minister truly understands the concept and principles of the Federal system and its importance for the prosperity of the country, much like the country’s first Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj.
“Hence, the (MA63) issue now is not at the decision-making level; it’s not a policy issue because Anwar understands this. The problem now lies in the implementation. Politicians may understand the status and rights of Sarawak and Sabah, but some civil servants may not understand or pretend not to understand.
“However, as long as MA63 is not fully implemented, there will continue to be a sense of dissatisfaction among the people in Sabah and Sarawak, which could affect the relationships within the Federal system itself,” he told Bernama.
Musli said that in his one year as Prime Minister, Anwar has also taken several measures to stabilise the country’s economy, and he deserves praise for certain ‘difficult’ decisions he made, such as not taking a salary as Prime Minister or Finance Minister.
Musli said the ongoing targeted subsidies implemented by the government are also effective in ensuring that only the truly deserving group would receive them, which is crucial in assisting the people of Sabah.
“It’s just that the implementation method needs to be clear. It should not be abrupt. The people need to understand the reasons first, and there must be an adequate supply of subsidised goods for the implementation. Right now, sadly, it is easier to find elephant footprints than to find sugar and cooking oil in packets,” he said.
Last January, the special sitting of the Sabah State Legislative Assembly passed the Gas Supply Bill 2023 following the transfer of regulatory power of Sabah’s gas supply from the federal to the state, which was part of the initiatives taken by Anwar and Hajiji in realising the MA63.
Borneo geopolitical analyst at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) Dr Syahruddin Awang Ahmad said that Anwar and Hajiji’s initiative presents the best opportunity for Sabah to leverage its natural gas resources as a source of funding for development and progress.
He said this effort could have a significant impact, as hoped by the people of Sabah, when the transfer of gas supply regulatory power is carried out transparently, structurally, and comprehensively as Sabah desperately needs its natural gas resources to ensure the smooth progress of the state.
“In the implementation of policies related to natural gas, oil and minerals, and agricultural products, it must be done transparently and not overshadowed by political interests or the goals of certain parties. When this policy is implemented with integrity, it will definitely benefit the people,” he said.
In efforts to minimise the impact of commodity price increases on the cost of living and development, Syahruddin said that the federal government led by Anwar could implement policies such as a cabotage policy to minimise the cost of purchasing goods for Sabah and Sarawak.
“The development policy should be measured based on the benchmark of progress at the federal level, where infrastructure development in Sabah and Sarawak need to be expedited to balance or match the progress in states in the peninsula, such as Selangor and Johor.
“Policies related to human resources and investment opportunities in both states need to be strengthened, where the manufacturing, production, and technology sectors need to be expanded so that the people in these states do not have to migrate elsewhere to find jobs,” he added.
Meanwhile, UMS senior lecturer Assoc Prof Dr Romzi Ationg said that as a Prime Minister, Anwar is seen as capable of fulfilling these expectations with the reforms he promised before taking office, and he is currently ensuring that these reforms are implemented thoroughly.
However, he said despite being on the right track, there is still room for improvement, especially in the focus on development for states in need, such as Sabah.
Therefore, he said Anwar’s efforts to honour the rights of Sabah and Sarawak in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) are crucial.
Romzi that there are still many issues related to the rights of Sabah and Sarawak that need to be addressed more decisively and diplomatically, and the uncertain economic conditions, both domestically and globally, might be among the factors contributing to the difficulty in realising these aspirations.
“It is hoped that the Prime Minister and his Cabinet will be firmer in this matter. Looking at Anwar’s achievements in his one-year administration, he still faces many challenges, and it is hoped that he can overcome these challenges successfully,” he added. – BERNAMA
