KOTA KINABALU: Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) will continue its struggle not only for the implementation of all rights and interests as contained in the Federal Constitution but also those that are present and guaranteed in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
Its Chairman Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said this is not only important in building and understanding but also shapes the acceptance of policymakers and implementers at the federal level regarding MA63.
Therefore, he said, during the MA63 Agreement Implementation Action Council (MTPMA63) meeting chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in Kuching, Sarawak on Jan 20, he insisted on bringing up several issues to be discussed.
"Issues such as follow-up negotiations related to formulas and revisions of Special Grants as well as the 40 per cent claim under Article 112.D can be expedited.
"Also the State's Right to the Continental Shelf and the Territorial Sea Act 2012 which the State Government is still determined to reject, which limits Sabah's border to three nautical miles", he said.
Hajiji said this at the 29th Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) Anniversary Celebration at Dewan Hakka, last night.
Also present was SAPP President, Datuk Yong Teck Lee.
In the meantime, Hajiji who is the Sabah Chief Minister said, many things can be achieved if all parties have the same direction and are united.
"Our main goal and the core of the struggle has placed the rights and interests of Sabah as the priority, and to raise Sabah's status to the top position in various aspects of development.
"The Sabah core is prioritised as our guiding principle by carefully following up every matters in the series of consultations that are going on vigorously under MA63," he said.
Hajiji said several successes have been notched including the most recent one being the handing over of gas regulatory authority by the Federal Government to the state government.
In addition, he adds that the long history of Sabah politics should lead by example and convince everyone to rise and improve the situation with a new strategy.
"Let us practice development politics that are more meaningful and have value to build the solidarity and unity of the people.
"This principle invites us to find a point of commonality for consensus that unites, not differences and competition that divide", he added.
Accordingly, he asked all SAPP and GRS leaders to continue together, wholeheartedly forging and building a foundation of unity.
