Terrence Siambun
KOTA KINABALU: Parti Warisan Sabah will not stop pursuing the 40% net revenue owed by the Federal Government to Sabah as specifically stated in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 and Schedule 10, Article 112 (and sub articles) of the Federal Constitution.
Treasurer-General of Parti Warisan Sabah, Terrence Siambun said it is the absolute right of Sabah to pursue the matter but will apply a different approach from that claimed by SAPP and its allies in Gabungan Sabah (GS).
“This 40% entitlement to Sabah had been agreed upon by all during the formative years of the Federation of Malaysia and was put into an agreement. Hence there is no question on this issue. We will pursue this matter but in a different and more intelligent approach compared to what SAPP has in mind,” he said in a statement issued today.
He was commenting on a statement by the President of Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP), Yong Teck Lee “reminding” the Deputy President of Parti Warisan Sabah (Warisan), Darell Leiking of the 40% net revenue owed by the Federal Government to the State Government.
Terrence pointed out that SAPP failed to topple Sabah BN in the last three elections and therefore it was illogical for Warisan to adopt the approach of a party whose leader could not even secure a position in the State Assembly.
“SAPP should not be telling Warisan when and how to pursue the matter,” he said.
“As a founding partner of the Federation of Malaysia, we have to be practical in this matter. We can clearly see that Sarawak’s approach and strategies in regaining the State’s rights while maintaining a good relationship with the Federal Government is much more acceptable compared to Yong Teck Lee and SAPP’s gung-ho approach.”
Terrence suggested Yong should not tire himself by giving instructions and pointers to Darell.
“Darell was appointed by Prime Minister, Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, to lead one of the most important ministries in Malaysia and we all know that Tun is prudent, highly disciplined and greatly respected as a statesman, so we can deduce that he has seen leadership qualities in Darell that qualify him as both Federal Minister and a Sabah leader.
“So there is no reason at all for Yong to be worried and to continuously tell Darell what to do especially on issues related to MA63 or Sabah’s rights because these issues are close to his heart. Just let him do his job as a Federal Minister for the good of all Malaysians.
“In the meantime, perhaps it would be good if Yong can regale us with his story as to why he never pursued the 40% entitlement and MA63 during his stint as a State Minister in the Barisan Nasional Government in 1994 and as Chief Minister of Sabah (1996-1998) right after the collapse of PBS in 1994.”