SABAH opposition leader cum Klias assemblyman Datuk Seri Panglima Lajim Ukin has expressed regret that the matter of Islam as the official religion has been brought up in Sabah’s pursuit to restore the provisions under Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
Lajim, who is also Parti Harapan Rakyat Sabah president, said it had been recorded in history that Sabah and Sarawak were important components and partners in the formation of Malaysia in 1963.
“Unfortunately, the issue of MA63 that serves as the basis to the formation of our country has heated up lately following a statement made by a leader from Sabah.”
He pointed out that the issue of Islam as the official religion has been brought up in the fight to return and restore the provisions in MA63, which has triggered polemics.
“This shows that there are leaders in Sabah who close their eyes on the loss and erosion of Sabah’s special rights under MA63,” Lajim said when debating the State Budget 2018 in the State Legislative Assembly yesterday.
He said the assemblymen, many of whom were non-Muslims, had achieved a consensus to accept Islam as the official religion of Sabah when the State Constitution was amended.
As such, Lajim questioned why this matter was brought up after 30 years.
“This is a very sensitive issue. We already have 1Sabah even before we achieved independence or formed Malaysia.”
Lajim pointed out that the people of Sabah are not 100 per cent Muslims and he believed that Allah wanted Muslims to have peace with other races.
Although he did not know why this issue was brought up, Lajim said religious matters should never be used to gain political mileage.
Nonetheless, Lajim believed that all grassroots political leaders in Sabah, including those from Sabah Barisan Nasional (BN) component parties, wanted Sabah rights to be restored under MA63.
“Regrettably, Sabah is always a few steps behind Sarawak in our struggle.”
He said Sarawak had unanimously passed a motion on MA63 to be debated in the state legislative assembly and supported by all the assemblymen.
In fact, he said the Sarawak state government was also given the mandate to negotiate with the federal government to resolve all outstanding issues relating to compliance to the terms, intent and spirit of MA63.
“For Sabah, the same can be done. If not at this State Legislative Assembly session, when?”
Earlier, Lajim said more people and leaders were demanding 20 per cent oil royalty for Sabah as more allocation could then be used for development in the state.