Kota Kinabalu, Sunday, 11 April 2021
Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) unanimously supports the upgrade of Sabah and Sarawak status as “wilayah” (region) during its routine Supreme Council Meeting on Saturday.
Prime Minister, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, recently called Sabah and Sarawak as “wilayah” (“region”). This is an immediate upgrade of Sabah and Sarawak status from the other states in Malaya. It shows that Sabah and Sarawak are indeed equal partners with Malaya in the formation of Malaysia in 1963.
Now that Sabah’s status as an equal partner is restored, the Supreme Council of SAPP hope that Sabah rights under Malaysia Agreement 1963 are to be recognised and guaranteed in the Federal Constitution, such as returning autonomous powers to Sabah like healthcare and education, oil royalty. SAPP also will take up the issue restoring the Residency system and the return of Labuan to Sabah.
The restoration of the Residency system would spur economic and infrastructure development to new heights, as well as returning the decision-making powers to the respective residents.
The return of Labuan to Sabah would expedite the building of the long overdue Labuan bridge which can be operated without the need for immigration control at the bridge. Immigration into Labuan will revert to the Sabah Government.
The Supreme Council of SAPP urge the Federal Government and all members of parliament to co-operate and restore Sabah and Sarawak rights Malaysia Agreement 1963.
Issued by Secretary General, Datuk Richard Yong We Kong