The manifestoes stated in Buku Harapan concerning Sarawak and Sabah

Copy and paste from Buku Harapan

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PILLAR 4: RETURN SABAH AND SARAWAK TO THE

STATUS

ACCORDED BY THE MALAYSIA AGREEMENT 1963

       The demands of the people of Sabah and Sarawak based on the 1963 Malaysia Agreement have not been heeded by UMNO

led Barisan Nasional government till today.

       In every election campaign, UMNO and BN have

promised many changes and reforms. However, this is merely a bait.

Post election, promises remain just that, while large shares of East Malaysia’s wealth are channelled to the federal coffers.

       Pakatan Harapan Government will adhere to the true spirit of the 1963 Malaysian Agreement based on mutually agreed special clauses.

The Pakatan Harapan Government is committed to restoring Sabah and

Sarawak position to their rightful place, in line with the 1963 Malaysia

Agreement. This will protect the unity of the Federation. To achieve that

purpose, we will carry out the following promises

      :  Promise 40: Implement the1963 Malaysia Agreement In their greed, BN has undermined the rights of Sabahans and Sarawakians guaranteed under the 1963 Malaysia Agreement. These rights

have been set aside for decades.In view of this, Pakatan Harapan

Government will set up a Cabinet Committee Review and Monitor the Fair Implementation of the 1963 Malaysia Agreement within the first 100 days of our administration.

        The Commission will consist of representatives from Peninsular, Sabah and Sarawak, who have expertise in relevant matters.

       The Commission will be directed to provide detailed reports to the government within six months from the date of establishment, for immediate execution.

       The Commission's main task is to review and propose measures to rectify the following:

Ø  Status of Malaysia Agreement 1963 based on current legislation

Ø  Efforts to enhance the understanding of the people on the 1963 Malaysia Agreement through the national education system

Ø Implementation of the concept federalism for the three territories

within Malaysia

Ø  The rights of Sabah and Sarawak to revenue from their natural

resources such as oil and gas

Ø  The administrative rights

Ø  The share of funds that rightfully belongs to Sabah and Sarawak

      Once the committee has presented its report, they will be tasked with

monitoring the proper implementation of their proposals.

90  Promise

41: To ensurethe prosperity of the people of Sabah and Sarawak by enhancing the states’ economic growth

       Sabah and Sarawak are rich in natural resources, such as oil, gas and timber.  But the wealth of Sabah and Sarawak has been exploited and plundered by UMNO and Barisan Nasional enrich the peninsula, while the east Malaysian states remain among the poorest in Malaysia.

This inequality will cease when Pakatan Harapan comes to power.

       OurGovernment will increase petroleum royalty to Sabah and Sarawak to 20 per cent or equivalent, as a first step in distributing petroleum revenue equitably.

      This will enable Sabah and Sarawak to take over responsibilities

for more development expenditure.

      Good infrastructure is key to economic development, but the current

government has been too busy using annual development allocation to line up their pockets and their cronies.

       The Pakatan Harapan Government will put a stop to all this so that the nation’s prosperity is shared by all.

Greater allocation of resources will be channelled to:

Ø  Ensure supply of clean water and clean energy to urban and rural

areas

Ø  Build roads and highways to connect towns and cities throughout the

state, and repair bridges and damaged roads

Ø  Review construction services such as Trans-Borneo railway using a

public-private partnership mode  l, and ensuring contracts will be

given to locals

ØCreate targeted aid schemes for the welfare of Sabahans and Sarawakians

ØBuild more public schools and health centres

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The 1974 Petroleum Development Act will be scrutinised to review

Petronas’s monopoly on national gas and oil products, especially from Sabah and Sarawak.

This is to enable Sabah and Sarawak to set up their own oil

and gas companies, and not limiting their role as a contractor to Petronas only.

To ensure that Sabah and Sarawak oil and gas products can be utilised for the long run, entities similar to the National Trust Fund (KWAN) can be set up in Sabah and Sarawak, after studying more sustainable models like in Norway and Alaska.

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Promise 42: Create more employment opportunities for Sabahan

and Sarawakian youths

The East Malaysian states have not enjoyed equal economic

development with the Peninsula. Jobs do not offer adequate income for

many.  The median salary in Sabah is the lowest in Malaysia, which is 31

percent below the national median salary.

Sarawak is the third lowest, 21 percent below the level of national median salary.  This is unjust for  Sabahans and Sarawakians.

Since 1965, in every election, BN has promised the Pan Borneo Highway but this project has never been completed even though it has been over 40 years since it was first mooted.  More unfortunate is their cronies have already begun a move to profit from the promised contracts.

       The Pakatan Harapan Government will ensure the connecting highway is built. Up to 30 per cent of the budget allocation for each year will be devoted to Sabah and Sarawak and priority will be the completion of this highway project.  Through this provision, the Pakatan Harapan

Government will ensure that contracts and good salaried jobs are first offered to locals.

       The Pan-Borneo Highway project and projects related to it have the potential to create at least 2,000 jobs for locals. Sabah and Sarawak have local talent and resource that have not been not exploited by Barisan Nasional government.  Instead, the ruling regime has a practice of sending officials from the Peninsula aimed at changing the demographics of these two states.

       Therefore, Pakatan Harapan Government will give priority to Sabahans and Sarawakians to fill vacancies at every level, especially the upper level in all central and state agencies.

       The Borneonization process of the public sector will provide jobs to eligible locals.

       The new Government will set up an Industrialisation Fund and

Entrepreneurs Fund to boost industrialisation and entrepreneurship among the locals.

      The tourism sector will be developed so that it contributes to job creation and development funds in addition to promoting the unique cultural, history and natural beauty of the local sites.

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Promise 43: Making Sabah and Sarawak a model of harmonious

society

       At the time BN leaders were using the tactics of dividing communities based on religion and race to ensure their victory, the people of Sabah and Sarawak could boast of inter-racial and inter religious harmony.  In fact, these states are a model of a harmonious multiracial and multi religious society within the framework of Islam as the religion of the Federation as enshrined in the Constitution.

       The Pakatan Harapan Government assures the integrity of race relations and religious freedom in Sabah and Sarawak as well as throughout the country.  More than that, the Pakatan Harapan Government will promote Sabah and Sarawak as a model of racial harmony so that all Malaysians can emulate the concept of wasatiyah that is naturally practised there

       Public universities as well as secondary schools will be given incentives to conduct student exchange activities as well as a study tour of Sabah, Sarawak and the Peninsula to encourage more interaction and mutual recognition of each other.  Additionally, sports activities will also be used to promote silaturrahim among Malaysians.

Promise 44: Improving the quality of education and healthcare

services

      The people of Sabah and Sarawak have been suffering for decades

under BN rule which had failed to provide proper healthcare and

educational services.

      Teachers and doctors sent to East Malaysia are usually those who are too new to the service.  Although they are generally committed and dedicated in their professions, it is a common scenario where will soon re-apply to come back to the Peninsular after gaining necessary experience.  This brain drain has reduced the quality of education and healthcare services in Sabah and Sarawak.

       Hence, Pakatan Harapan Government will give priority to training local teachers and health workers from Sabah and Sarawak.

The new Government if elected will also stop the Barisan Nasional's practice which uses Sabah and Sarawak as the training ground for teachers and young health officials  or as place of "exile" for those who have problems.

       On the other hand, if an exchange of staff or officials is to be made, it will be done on a needs basis, including sending excellent officers from Peninsular to a school or health centres requiring their expertise.

      The Sabah and Sarawak governments will be given decision making rights in education and health matters.In education, parents will be given the opportunity to decide whether the school will use native language or

English

.      The curriculum will also have local content so that Sabahan and

Sarawakian children can understand their local culture.

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Native languages and cultural-related courses will also be offered at public universities in Sabah and Sarawak.  All this will be done within the

framework of the National Education Philosophy.

       In terms of healthcare services, all public hospitals will be equipped with the state of the art technology and equipment to treat more patients, especially those suffering from cardiovascular diseases and cancer.

       The drug and medical equipment procurement system will also be made more competitive so that the cheapest price will be paid for high-quality medicines and equipment.

     GLCs will be asked to contribute to upgrade healthcare infrastructure,

hospital buildings, clinics and education facilities. Special government funds will also be used for this purpose.

     Skim Peduli Sihat (Healthcare Insurance Scheme) like the one currently run in Selangor will be introduced in Sabah and Sarawak, with special focus on rural and remote areas.

    

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Promise 45: Advancing the interest of the rural and remote

populations

       Many Sabahans and Sarawakians still live in villages and the

hinterland. Their quality of life is low and they need outside assistance to

ensure their lives are protected. In fact, the poverty they experience has also caused some of them not to register the birth of the child, which has contributed to a rise in stateless children.

       The Pakatan Harapan Government will simplify and reduce the

bureaucratic red tape involved in registering children.

      This goes also for those born in Malaysia but have no legal citizenship rights due to lack of documentation.  Pakatan Harapan Government will also resolve problems concerning mistakes in names, addresses and other personal details. In remote areas and villages, we will pioneer electricity generation

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Promise 46:   Protecting the sovereignty and security of Sabah

       The people of Sabah had to face security risks for a long time as

UMNO and Barisan Nasional failed to safeguard the borders.

       To date, the people of Sabah are still facing threats related to the presence of foreigners.  The practices of the ruling government have led to these illegal immigrants having identity cards to pass off as locals.

The Pakatan Harapan Government will set up a Truth and Reconciliation

Commission to achieve a fair solution to the issue of identity card which

have been granted to illegal immigrants, thereby ensuring that voters' lists in Sabah can be cleared.  The Commission's mandate will be determined jointly by the Federal Government and the Government of Sabah, but the Chairman of this Commission will a qualified Sabahan with unquestionable integrity. The Commission will also be mandated to propose appropriate follow-up actions. The number of security forces guarding the Sabah border will also be boosted.

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Promise 47: Decentralisation of power to Sabah and Sarawak

       Thet Pakatan Harapan Government will decentralise the federation’s fiscal administration system in stages so that eventually up to 50 percent of the tax revenue collected in Sabah and Sarawak will be spent on development needs of the latter.

       Our Government will also restore state powers to develop its own commerce and trade related policies as Malaysia practices and open economic philosophy in order to benefit from regional and international trade. This includes the recruitment of foreign workers.

       The mandate will be given to Sabah and Sarawak to come up with a plan to eliminate trade barriers and all tariffs that have stunted the growth of their economy and prevent the people from leveraging on the openness of our country's economic system.

       This includes policies related to public transportation system, cabotage policy, open sky policy and investment policy. The governments of Sabah and Sarawak will regain control over strategic government-owned companies, such as water and electricity companies.

Sabah and Sarawak have unique legal systems and customary courts.   

      The Pakatan Harapan Government will empower this judicial system, starting with establishing an Expert Committee to review the improvements needed for a smooth functioning of Sabah Native Court and the Sarawak Bumiputera Court, as well as to streamline the management of indigenous custom rights.  Customary land ownership rights will be certified and the registration process of ownership rights will be streamlined immediately. The conflict of rights of Indigenous peoples to their land will be settled through the establishment of a Special Land Tribunal that consists of experts in this field.

Promise 48: To return and guarantee the right of customary

land of the people of Sabah and Sarawak

     The ruling government has failed to ensure the protection and legal

rights of customary land in Sarawak and Sabah. The people’s customary

land was sold or leased at very low prices to logging companies and

developers of oil palm estates.

       To improve their native land rights, Pakatan Harapan Government will implement the recommendations in the National Inquiry Report on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples as outlined in the SUHAKAM report

.  In the event a customary land has been appropriated, the Pakatan Harapan Government will establish a redress mechanism to ensure the affected party is adequately compensated.

       The new Government will enhance the role and functions of Land

Department role to properly conduct perimeter studies. Funds will be

provided to carry out a complete study which can accurately identify the

customary land boundaries.

       A Special Land Tribunal will be established immediately to resolve disputes over land rights and boundaries of customary land and settlement of overdue cases.

        Development undertaken in the Orang Asli areas must be in accordance with sustainable and environmentally friendly models, taking into account socio-cultural factors of surrounding communities, and it must enlist the active participation of indigenous people.

Blog and Tweet     8/6/2018  Crafting for better deal in illegitimate business

Patronas suit to claim their rights over the development of oil and gas resources in Sarawak is like crafting for a better deal in illegitimate business but will turn out to be like a person carrying a big stone to crush his own feet.  It is self-defeating and ugly.  The company, no doubt, has the blessings from Dr. M who used to be so crafty in the business of domination and monopoly.  Is he not acting against the PH manifestoes of decentralisation and devolution of power to Sarawak and Sabah?  Didn’t Dr M have a meeting with ….from Patronas?   In the year of 2018 and the age of internet, Dr M and Patronas can no longer act so indulgently, aggressively and haughtily than ever before.   In Chinese, we have a saying, [弄巧反拙] crafting for a better illegitimate deal to turn so ugly and self-defeating. 

        Where is the integrity of the PH government?  The main reason for the downfall of the exited-BN government is due to the lack of integrity which they never cared to practice.  Is the PH government to follow suit?  It is quite out of many expectation that the PH government would craft with Patronas who is only answerable to Prime minister.  Is it still true?  Did Patronas know the consequences of losing the suit if our Federal Court of Justice stands for Justice?  Did they ever calculate what course the Sarawak government with the backing of all the Sarawakians would take even if we lost the suit?  Had they ever thought that we would file the suit in the International Court of Justice and at the same time we would seek for secession for good. 

        For the past 54+ years, we have been oppressed and suppressed.  The whole world should have seen how domineering the Malaya government has been to plunder, exploit and raid Sarawak and Sabah to enrich themselves.

        People in Peninsular Malaya should allow Patronas to continue monopolising which is the main cause of abuses.  I hope the oil-producing states in Peninsular Malaya will stand up against the practice.  Is it not the right time to review the Petroleum Development Act imposed on them? 

        Patronas, I guess, must have thought that they could extend this unconstitutional ruling to Sarawak and Sabah.  In the past our weak ministers were bound and gagged to protest.  But now, with the awareness of Sarawakians on our rights, no representatives can afford to behave so lamely anymore. 

My comments:
I copy and paste this to let the whole-wide world to bear witness the manifestos of Pakatan Harapan concerning Sabah and Sarawak.  I want the whole-wide world to check to what extent this new government will translate their promises into concrete actions to stay in power to lead this federation of Malaysia into a higher plane or to be so much better than UMNO-BN regime.