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| STAR's Sabah Chairman, Dr Jeffrey Kitingan |
“The reason advanced by Keningau Umno Youth regarding the struggle for the 20-Points is creating “false hopes” for the people especially the bumiputra communities in Sabah clearly reinforce STAR Sabah’s stand that outside parties like Umno cannot best defend Sabah’s rights” said Dr. Nicholas James Guntobon, Deputy Chairman of STAR Sabah and chief of the Interior Zone in response to the statement by Keningau Youth Chief in the papers yesterday.
Sabah Founding Forefathers Visionary
Sabah Founding Forefathers Visionary
“If we study properly the 20-Points, the Cobbold Commission Report, the Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC) Report, the Malaysia Agreement and the other documents culminating in the formation of Malaysia, we can see the vision, foresight and intellect of our founding forefathers in defending Sabah’s rights in the merger to form Malaysia” added Dr. Nicholas.
Despite the lack of experience and education, these forefathers did not lack intellectual ability and were able to formulate constitutional safeguards for the future of Sabah and its future generations.
Despite being better educated, some even in law, it will be sad for Sabah’s future if current leaders cannot see how Sabah’s rights are protected in the 20-Points and the other documents as envisaged by our Sabah forefathers.
It has to be remembered that the surveys conducted by the Cobbold Commission only showed that roughly 1/3 of the people in Sabah were agreeable to the merger of Sabah with Malaya, Singapore and Sarawak to form Malaysia.
Merits in the 20-Points and Malaysia Agreement
Sabah leaders need to study in-depth and understand the entirety of the entire process and documents involved leading up to the Malaysia Agreement and the formation of Malaysia on 16th September 1963 and not just refer to the 20-Points or the Cobbold Commission Report in isolation.
If the 20-Points had been complied with or enforced together with Article VIII of the Malaysia Agreement, Sabah would have been autonomous, united and progressive today instead of being the poorest State, over-whelmed by illegal immigrants with the right to vote, insecure and unsafe and losing its autonomy and political franchise.
Ifs
If under Point 3 of the 20-Points, a new Constitution had been put in place instead of the Constitution of the Federation of Malaya disguising as the Constitution of Malaysia, Sabah would have maintained its autonomy and remained as an equal partner to Malaya and Sarawak instead of being 1 of the 13 states now.
If immigration under Point 6 had been strictly enforced, we would not have a huge influx of illegal immigrants and made worse by them being granted the right to vote and to determine the future of genuine Sabahans. Security and social problems would not have been problems today.
If borneonisation under Point 8 had been implemented, Sabahans would have had control of their own public service instead of being overrun by outsiders. It is not just the loss of job opportunities or positions but Sabahans have lost more than 2 generations of human capital development due to their rightful positions being taken by outsiders. This loss of human capital development have stunted the growth and development of Sabahans. In addition, the lack of local knowledge of these outsiders have had a negative effect on the public administration and service to Sabahans.
Sabah should have control of its own finance, development funds and tariffs under Point 11. In 2011 alone, out of a total of RM109 billion, a total of RM22.7 billion or 20.8% in federal taxes and revenue was collected from Sabah. This sum excludes oil revenue and other forms of collections collected by other federal agencies like immigration which is targeted to collect RM200 million in 2012. Lately, the federal government is also intending to extend the Registration of Businesses Act to Sabah and with this extension, local authorities will no longer collect the trading licence fees and lose their right to approve trading licences.
Under Point 12, the special position of the indigenous races in Sabah, be they be KDM, Bajau, Suluk, Sungai, Bruneian, Rungus, Kedayan and so forth were supposed to be entrenched and enjoy special rights to those enjoyed by the Malays in Malaya. One only need to ask oneself whether this had been fully implemented or the indigenous races have been marginalized and down-trodden?
Under Point 15, if the education system had been maintained until today and under State control, Sabahans today would have been towering over others in Malaysia instead of being downgraded to manual labour in the industrial factories in the Peninsular.
Under Point 16, the federal government had failed to safeguard the constitutional safeguards that were supposed to be guaranteed for Sabah. Instead, as a result of various constitutional amendments, the rights of Sabah had been trampled upon. A very good example is the loss of Sabah’s oil and gas to Petronas with Sabah getting a meager 5% for all its oil wealth. As reported by the Chief Minister, Sabah’s 5% is expected to amount to RM775.46 million which translates to Petronas getting RM14.734 billion from Sabah’s oil in 2012.
Under Point 17, a constitutional safeguard was to put in place for representation in the federal government. In 1963, Malaya was only to get 65% of the parliament seats but today it has 75% of the 222-seats. Sabah’s voice in Parliament is worsened with the Malayan-based parties like Umno coming and taking control of the seats in Sabah further diluting Sabah’s rights. The problem is further compounded when the local representatives of the Malayan-based parties lose sight of their obligation to safeguard Sabah’s rights and sovereignty and instead follow the agenda of their party and their leaders in the Peninsular.
It is this loss or subjudication of Sabah’s agenda that makes Malayan-based parties like Sabah Umno being unable to best defend Sabah’s rights and autonomy.
And finally under Point 20, the status of our beloved TYT should rightfully be restored as the “Yang DiPertua Negara”. As an independent, sovereign nation-state, our Yang DiPertua Negara should be accorded the status as Head of State accordingly. If not for the formation of Malaysia, our Yang DiPertua Negara would have been accorded the same status in Kuala Lumpur as would have been accorded to the Sultan of Brunei or any other visiting Head of State.
Despite the lack of experience and education, these forefathers did not lack intellectual ability and were able to formulate constitutional safeguards for the future of Sabah and its future generations.
Despite being better educated, some even in law, it will be sad for Sabah’s future if current leaders cannot see how Sabah’s rights are protected in the 20-Points and the other documents as envisaged by our Sabah forefathers.
It has to be remembered that the surveys conducted by the Cobbold Commission only showed that roughly 1/3 of the people in Sabah were agreeable to the merger of Sabah with Malaya, Singapore and Sarawak to form Malaysia.
Merits in the 20-Points and Malaysia Agreement
Sabah leaders need to study in-depth and understand the entirety of the entire process and documents involved leading up to the Malaysia Agreement and the formation of Malaysia on 16th September 1963 and not just refer to the 20-Points or the Cobbold Commission Report in isolation.
If the 20-Points had been complied with or enforced together with Article VIII of the Malaysia Agreement, Sabah would have been autonomous, united and progressive today instead of being the poorest State, over-whelmed by illegal immigrants with the right to vote, insecure and unsafe and losing its autonomy and political franchise.
Ifs
If under Point 3 of the 20-Points, a new Constitution had been put in place instead of the Constitution of the Federation of Malaya disguising as the Constitution of Malaysia, Sabah would have maintained its autonomy and remained as an equal partner to Malaya and Sarawak instead of being 1 of the 13 states now.
If immigration under Point 6 had been strictly enforced, we would not have a huge influx of illegal immigrants and made worse by them being granted the right to vote and to determine the future of genuine Sabahans. Security and social problems would not have been problems today.
If borneonisation under Point 8 had been implemented, Sabahans would have had control of their own public service instead of being overrun by outsiders. It is not just the loss of job opportunities or positions but Sabahans have lost more than 2 generations of human capital development due to their rightful positions being taken by outsiders. This loss of human capital development have stunted the growth and development of Sabahans. In addition, the lack of local knowledge of these outsiders have had a negative effect on the public administration and service to Sabahans.
Sabah should have control of its own finance, development funds and tariffs under Point 11. In 2011 alone, out of a total of RM109 billion, a total of RM22.7 billion or 20.8% in federal taxes and revenue was collected from Sabah. This sum excludes oil revenue and other forms of collections collected by other federal agencies like immigration which is targeted to collect RM200 million in 2012. Lately, the federal government is also intending to extend the Registration of Businesses Act to Sabah and with this extension, local authorities will no longer collect the trading licence fees and lose their right to approve trading licences.
Under Point 12, the special position of the indigenous races in Sabah, be they be KDM, Bajau, Suluk, Sungai, Bruneian, Rungus, Kedayan and so forth were supposed to be entrenched and enjoy special rights to those enjoyed by the Malays in Malaya. One only need to ask oneself whether this had been fully implemented or the indigenous races have been marginalized and down-trodden?
Under Point 15, if the education system had been maintained until today and under State control, Sabahans today would have been towering over others in Malaysia instead of being downgraded to manual labour in the industrial factories in the Peninsular.
Under Point 16, the federal government had failed to safeguard the constitutional safeguards that were supposed to be guaranteed for Sabah. Instead, as a result of various constitutional amendments, the rights of Sabah had been trampled upon. A very good example is the loss of Sabah’s oil and gas to Petronas with Sabah getting a meager 5% for all its oil wealth. As reported by the Chief Minister, Sabah’s 5% is expected to amount to RM775.46 million which translates to Petronas getting RM14.734 billion from Sabah’s oil in 2012.
Under Point 17, a constitutional safeguard was to put in place for representation in the federal government. In 1963, Malaya was only to get 65% of the parliament seats but today it has 75% of the 222-seats. Sabah’s voice in Parliament is worsened with the Malayan-based parties like Umno coming and taking control of the seats in Sabah further diluting Sabah’s rights. The problem is further compounded when the local representatives of the Malayan-based parties lose sight of their obligation to safeguard Sabah’s rights and sovereignty and instead follow the agenda of their party and their leaders in the Peninsular.
It is this loss or subjudication of Sabah’s agenda that makes Malayan-based parties like Sabah Umno being unable to best defend Sabah’s rights and autonomy.
And finally under Point 20, the status of our beloved TYT should rightfully be restored as the “Yang DiPertua Negara”. As an independent, sovereign nation-state, our Yang DiPertua Negara should be accorded the status as Head of State accordingly. If not for the formation of Malaysia, our Yang DiPertua Negara would have been accorded the same status in Kuala Lumpur as would have been accorded to the Sultan of Brunei or any other visiting Head of State.
20-Points Not False Hopes
By now, it should be very clear that there are no false hopes in the 20-Points or the position of Sabah as an equal partner in the formation of Malaysia. Rather, the enforcement or compliance of the 20-Points and Article VIII will bring about wholesale upliftment for Sabah and its people.
The Sabah Umno leaders especially the youth leaders should emulate the opposition and champion the cause for the restoration of Sabah’s rights and autonomy under the 20-Points and the Malaysia Agreement and as an equal partner in Malaysia. The time has come for them to stop treating them as fixed deposits but treatSabahans and Sarawakians with respect and dignity and not alienate the two territories any further.
As a first step, in conjunction with 31 August 2012, Umno Sabah should insist that Malaysia is 49 years old now and not 55 and to honour Sabah’s Independence Day on 31 August 2012.
By now, it should be very clear that there are no false hopes in the 20-Points or the position of Sabah as an equal partner in the formation of Malaysia. Rather, the enforcement or compliance of the 20-Points and Article VIII will bring about wholesale upliftment for Sabah and its people.
The Sabah Umno leaders especially the youth leaders should emulate the opposition and champion the cause for the restoration of Sabah’s rights and autonomy under the 20-Points and the Malaysia Agreement and as an equal partner in Malaysia. The time has come for them to stop treating them as fixed deposits but treatSabahans and Sarawakians with respect and dignity and not alienate the two territories any further.
As a first step, in conjunction with 31 August 2012, Umno Sabah should insist that Malaysia is 49 years old now and not 55 and to honour Sabah’s Independence Day on 31 August 2012.
20 perkara ini menjadi permainan politik STAR sejak dlu lagi. Apa pun yang pasti rakyat yang menilai semua ini.
ReplyDeleteTidak pandai habis-habis STAR ini dengan 20 perkara ini. Kerajaan sedang memastikan yang mana 20 perkara ini akan dilaksanakan secara berperingkat.
DeleteWell since Jeff is in the STAR, I don't think this issue will eventually died down.
DeleteMainan politik memang susah dijangka.
DeleteI don't think STAR is really a powerful party.
DeleteAda juga kah yang mahu sokong STAR ni? hhmmm...
DeleteStar mmg suka perbesarkan isu ini.
ReplyDeleteMemang pun.
DeleteApa boleh buat la, ini saja STAR mampu buat.
ReplyDeleteSTAR is really vocal in this issue but nothing is visible enough.
ReplyDelete20 perkara ni macam tak pernah habis ceritanya. Bagus jugalah kalau dapat ditunaikan.
ReplyDeleteNamun jangan sampai hal ini dijadikan bahan politik pula. Ia hanya akan menyebabkan perkara lebih sukar ditanggani jika masing-masing pun mahu jadi hero.
ReplyDeleteTewrpulang kepada rakyat untuk menentukan masa depan negeri kita. Kuasa undi ada pada kita jadi undilah calon yang layak.
ReplyDeleteKita tunggu sajalah sejau mana usaha STAR dalam mencapai 20 perkara ni.
ReplyDeletekalau Jeffrey berani, saman la kerajaan persekutuan atau bawa isu perjanjian 20 perkara ini ke mahkamah antarabangsa..
ReplyDeleteSabah’s economy is off to a strong start this year, owing to investments worth several billion ringgit secured in the first quarter of 2012, as well as an economic plan focused on creating wealth and empowering the business community. To date, the Sabah Development Corridor (SDC), launched in 2008, has amassed a remarkable RM107 billion (US$34.87 billion) in investments. These funds will sustain 31 entry point projects (EPPs), which are expected to generate RM35.5 billion (US$11.57 billion) in incremental gross national income, along with roughly 144,000 new jobs, according to Musa Aman, the chief minister of Sabah.
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteThese projects included: the Sabah Oil and Gas Terminal in Kimanis, which was projected to generate RM6.3 billion (US$2.05 billion); the palm oil industrial cluster (POIC) in Lahad Datu, worth RM8.6 billion (US$2.8 billion); and coastal tourism development, expected to contribute RM8.6 billion (US$2.8 billion).According to Muhyiddin Yassin, the Deputy Prime Minister, 92 per cent of investments required for these projects would come from the private sector.
ReplyDeleteThe SDC would also benefit from the newly launched RM4.7 billion (US$1.53 billion) ammonia and urea plant in Sipitan. Prime Minister Najib Razak expected the new plant, commonly referred to as Samur, to have spin-off effects for many industries – such as agricultural chemicals, plastics, and pharmaceuticals – sparking a cycle of industrial growth.Other projects in the SDC included the Gleneagles Medical Centre; the integrated Jesselton Waterfront and Sabah International Convention Centre in Kota Kinabalu; the International Technology and Convention Centre in Penampang; the Dalit Bay integrated tourism resort in Tuaran; the Sipadan Mangrove Resort; and the Sabah Green Energy geothermal power plant in Tawau.
Costing nearly RM5.1 billion (US$1.66 billion), the projects have received around RM500 million (US$162.93 million) in federal funds.Aman attributed the SDC’s strong standing to government efforts and the private sector’s overall confidence in the state. He drew attention to the initiatives of the Sabah Economic Development and Investment Authority (Sedia) to endorse the government structure for EPPs, which then paved the way for Sedia to become the one-stop authority for attracting, processing and tracking large investments.
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteRobust investments in the SDC dovetailed nicely with the Malaysian state’s development policy. In early 2012, for example, the Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) launched its economic plan for the state, with special emphasis on wealth creation and empowering the business community.In introducing the plan, Mohd Noor Mansoor stated his party’s confident forecast that the state’s revenues could reach RM5 billion (US$1.63 billion) by 2015. This figure did not include the 20 per cent in petroleum royalties Sabah could potentially collect, thus giving it additional annual revenue of RM3 billion (US$977.56 million).
“This budget will be able to sustain the momentum of Sabah’s development and allow us]to save for the future. The revenue is expected to be derived by way of close monitoring of royalties on oil and gas, including those new, significant discoveries in shallow waters off Sabah, producing an additional seven billion standard cu feet per day,” Noor said.Part of the government’s strategy toward wealth creation was to shore up savings and keep a close eye on the state’s debt. As part of the economic plan, the SAPP government had committed to depositing RM100 million (US$32.59 million) each year into the Sabah Heritage Fund (SHF), created to be a ‘savings fund for future generations’.
ReplyDeleteAs well, the SAPP had resolved not to take any more sovereign loans that would pose a direct risk to the State Treasury upon the retirement of an RM544 million (US$177.26 million) bond taken by the state administration in 2010.However, Sabah still had a number of challenges to confront, including the challenge of how to better capitalise its agricultural sector, which had been slow to attract investments, contributing RM3.2 buillion (US$1.04 billion), or roughly 5.5 per cent. This reality was more troubling in light of the fact that Sabah had a wealth of natural resources, such as oil and gas reserves, timber, oil palm, rubber and cocoa.
ReplyDeleteNot withstanding these roadblocks, the future of Sabah’s economy looks bright. The strong support extended to the business community by the government provides great assurance for the private sector.Furthermore, with mega-projects in the works and large-scale investments continuing to pour in, there will be increased opportunities for job creation and infrastructural development, thus paving the way for a more inclusive growth.
ReplyDelete