KENINGAU: A veteran politician here, Thomas Anggan, said that as long as the 20 points still exists, it is still valid and relevant under the laws.
“There is no party that can dispute it because it is an agreement made for the formation of a nation called Malaysia,” he told The Borneo Post here yesterday.
Thomas described the statement made by Datuk Seri Salleh Tun Said on the 20 points as absurd and baseless, and trying to belittle the efforts made by previous leaders.
Salleh had said the 20 Points agreement on Sabah’s safeguards for agreeing to Malaysia’s formation is no longer valid because it is already part of the Malaysian Constitution.
Thomas asked Salleh to resign as Speaker of the State Legislative Assembly and State Umno liaison deputy chief as his statement does not respect the aspirations of the people of Sabah and Sarawak on the 20 points.
“Salleh’s statement is an insult to the interior society and it can affect the harmony of the native communities in this state,” said the advisor of the Gana, Kujau, Nabai Cultural Association (GAKUNA).
Thomas, who is the former Bingkor assemblyman, added Salleh’s statements was specially insulting to the struggle of past leaders, including the late Datuk GS Sundang who represented the Interior communities during the formation of Malaysia together with Sabah, Sarawak, Federation of Malaya and Singapore on September 16, 1963.
“For me, the 20 points should be preserved and maintained in the history of the state. It is still relevant and valid for the native people of Sabah, including Sarawak,” he said, adding it should not become a political issue.