Sabah, Sarawak should not be second fiddle

Monday 12 May 2014

Malaysia is a federation formed on the concept of equal partnership..

TAWAU: Sabah and Sarawak must no longer tolerate being second-class citizens with federal decisions being made without consulting both states.

DAP Sabah vice chairman Chan Foong Hin yesterday challenged Umno Sabah to “stand-up to their federal ‘masters’ and represent the state as true Sabahan leaders”.

“Political affiliations should not compromise the rights of Sabah and Sarawak, especially when it comes to national decision-making.

“Sabahans and Sarawakians will no longer tolerate any unilateral attempt to alter the nature of the Federation of Malaysia without consulting the people of the two states.”

Citing the decision made by the late Tunku Abdul Rahman and Umno to expel Singapore from Malaysia without consulting both Sabah and Sarawak as greatly affecting both states, Chan said that it was one of the reasons both states are viewed as ‘second-class’ in the eyes of Kuala Lumpur.

“Malaysians should no longer subconsciously harbour the ‘colonial master’ mentality that decisions can be made in Kuala Lumpur without consulting Kota Kinabalu and Kuching.

“Malaysia is a federation formed on the concept of equal partnership among all states.

“Parties trying to push their agenda by using majority politics should bear full responsibility for the implication of their actions that might undo Malaysia.”

Chan said this in response to Barisan Nasional (BN) Sabah secretary Abdul Rahman Dahlan’s call for DAP to state its stand on the implementation of hudud in the state.

The issue of hudud has seen a ‘split’ within the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) coalition. PAS has continued its insistence to implement hudud law in Kelantan while political partner DAP has continuously voiced their objection.

“DAP Sabah’s stand on hudud is crystal-clear. We do not agree to the implementation of hudud in all the states in Malaysia, given that Malaysia was formed as a secular federation in 1963.

“Passing the law at state level is unconstitutional unless the entire federal arrangement is renegotiated,” said the Sri Tanjong assemblyman.

Sabah Sarawak Want Their Rights Back (SIGN PETITION)

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