Pakatan unveils Sabah election manifesto

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KOTA KINABALU: Opposition pact Pakatan Rakyat yesterday launched its Sabah election manifesto offering a number of drastic administrative changes both at the state and federal levels.

Sabah DAP chairman, Jimmy Wong said the manifesto for Sabah was consistent with the Pakatan’s national manifesto launched end of last month, with additional policies that were very focused and unique to Sabah and its people.

“We will touch on the 1963 Malaysia Agreement, Borneonisation, Sabah Sovereignty, a more comprehensive RCI on the issue of illegal immigrants, the Native Court and the status of the natives, as well as concrete ways of protecting the environment.

“The well-being of Sabahans will be taken good care of. This includes the protection of the native customary rights, improvement of infrastructure, upgrading and enhancing our social welfare, special assistance to our former and retired security personnel and more affordable homes, just to name a few,” he said in a press conference here yesterday.

Four leaders, including former Barisan Nasional (BN) member of parliament, Datuk Seri Panglima Lajim Ukin and Datuk Seri Panglima Wilfred Bumburing, took turns to explain in details each of the four components in the 40-point manifesto.

Sabah Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) chief, Ahmad Thamrin Jaini said the first component focused on bringing about a state government that truly serves and promotes the interest of the Sabah and its people at the federal level.

Should it be given the mandate by the people in the coming 13th General Election, he said Pakatan would “revive” the spirit of Malaysia Agreement 1963 and Sabah’s position as an autonomous and equal partner in the Federation.

He said Pakatan would also set up a more comprehensive royal commission of inquiry to effectively resolve illegal immigrants issues and take stern action against those involved in illegally issuing Malaysian citizenship to foreigners.

“We will also defend and protect the sovereignty of Sabah as part of Malaysia by resolving all claims (by foreign country),” he said.

Lajim, president of Pertubuhan Pakatan Perubahan Sabah (PPPS) which just last month announced its own separate manifesto, said Pakatan Rakyat would give a strong emphasis on the rights of the native people in Sabah.

He said Pakatan pledged to recognise, respect and safeguard the native customary rights for land and would withdraw all cases that have been brought by the current government to court, as well as set up a Land Tribunal to review the status of native lands that were given to government-linked agencies and private companies.

He added that Pakatan would also do away with the issuance of Communal Title and replace it with individual Native Title (NT), review the role of Yayasan Sabah, reintroduce Amanah Rakyat Negeri Sabah, and build 50,000 affordable homes within the first term of taking power.

Bumburing read the third component, which focused on economic aspect, saying Pakatan promised to realise the call from Sabah to have its oil royalty increased from the current five per cent to 20 per cent.

“We want this 20 per cent to be taken from the actual revenue, and for that we would have Petronas answerable to the Parliament and present the details of their financial performance to the House.

“To ensure transparency and in the interest of Sabah, we will also have Petronas appoint at least one board of director from Sabah. In addition, we will also submit a motion at the State Assembly to claim the petroleum revenue from Blok L and Blok M which were given away to Brunei by the federal government without the consent of people of Sabah, and to have civil action taken against those involved.

“A State-owned oil and gas company shall also be set up with a start-up capital of RM1 billion to be sourced from the oil royalty payable to Sabah. This will ensure Sabah, as emerging major oil and gas producer, can compete internationally in this industry and create more opportunities for its people,” said the Angkatan Perubahan Sabah (PPS) president.

The other highlights, added Bumburing, was to abolish the Cabotage Policy, review the Forest Management Unit and FELDA agreements in the State and reintroduce Lembaga Padi Sabah to end BERNAS monopoly.

Sabah PAS commissioner, Mohd Aminuddin Aling presented the final component, which among others included a promise to build a dedicated higher learning institution to be known as Universiti Kinabalu and set up TV Sabah.

Meanwhile, when met after the event, Jimmy said seat distribution among Pakatan members was 95 per cent completed and would be announced soon by the leadership Pakatan pact.

Asked if they have decided who would be the chief minister should Pakatan form the state government in Sabah, he said it was too early to discuss the matter.

“We will decide when the time is right. The important thing is for the people to give Pakatan a chance,” he said.

As for the candidates to be fielded, he said all Pakatan members had  completed their respective lists.