Fadillah to brief GPS, GRS MPs on current national issues
KUCHING (July 12): Deputy Prime Minister Dato Sri Fadillah Yusof will meet with all MPs from Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) for briefing on current national issues.
Following the recent special meeting between Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Barisan Nasional MPs, Fadillah said the discussion mostly involved government components from Peninsular Malaysia, such as Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Umno.
He said as there were no urgent matters requiring direct engagement, GPS and GRS MPs do not need to attend a similar session with the Prime Minister.
'I will brief all GPS and GRS MPs. We understand the current issues, and I am able to interact directly with them.
'The number of GPS MPs is small and our communication is effective. We've already discussed these matters in the Cabinet, and I know which issues need to be clarified for our colleagues in GPS and GRS.
'However, if invited, we will meet with the Prime Minister. It's unrealistic to expect him to do everything, so I can play a role myself,' he told reporters after visiting the Centre for Technical Excellence Sarawak (Centexs) here this afternoon.
Fadillah said this internal approach was more practical, saving time and allowing the government to stay focused on administrative affairs.
He also revealed plans for a Unity Government retreat involving all MPs, ministers, and deputy ministers.
Separately, Fadillah said he will travel to Sabah next week for a technical meeting related to the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), which will focus on ensuring the state's rights within the Federation are upheld.
'This visit to Sabah is not related to current political issues. It pertains to MA63 technical matters, which are essential to ensuring Sabah's rights continue to be strengthened within the Federation,' he said.
Fadillah reiterated GPS's commitment to supporting government stability and prioritising Sarawak's development and the people's welfare. fadillah yusof gps GRS lead meeting national issues
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[ii] Return of Rights and Autonomy: Especially greater control over resources [like oil and gas beyond the current 5% royalty], much greater approval authority on investment, trade, education, and health, equitable say in fiscal and monetary policies. [iii] Equal Partnership with Malaya and Sarawak: Sabah MUST DEMAND to be treated as an 1/3 equal partner in the federation, with one-third representation in all federal agencies, Government-Linked Companies (GLCs), and Government-Linked Investment Companies (GLICs). Sabah is not a subordinate state. [2] Governance and Political Stability for Sabah: [i] Sabahan Leaders for 'Sabah for Sabahans': Genuine Sabahan leaders must manage Sabah without undue interference/influence from federal leaders or Malayan parties. Sabah based parties must genuinely champion Sabah's interests. [ii] Unified Sabahan Political Front: With the benefit of history, it is crystal clear after 40 years of economic deprivation that without political unity, Sabah will continue to be an 'economic and political pawn state', with no control of our economic/political destiny. Sabah has gone down this path in the last 40 years. Time for our leaders to unite and chart a new path for ourselves. [iii] Accountability of Local Leaders: Ensuring that Sabahan leaders are accountable to Sabah voters and do not prioritise outsiders' interests over the welfare of Sabahans. [3] Priority of Economic Development and Resource for Sabahans: [i] Prioritisation of Sabah's Economy: There must be policies that utilise Sabah's rich natural resources (oil, gas, timber) primarily for the development and benefit of Sabahans. [ii] Bridging Development Gaps: Serious efforts must be made to address the historical economic disparities and infrastructure deficits in Sabah compared to Peninsular Malaysia. [iii] Priority for Local Industry and Entrepreneurship: Urgent priority for the growth of Sabah-owned industries and entrepreneurship to strengthen Sabahan share of the economy. Sabahan businessmen must be given preference in JVs by all GLCs for property and resource development. [4] Protection of Sabah's Precious Racial/Religious Harmony Identity. [i] Cultural and Religious Diversity: Sabah leaders must address any attempt at imposing ideologies or policies from Malaya that clash with Sabah's diverse multiracial and multireligious cultural landscape. Sabahans must reject the destructive politics of race and religion from Malaya. [ii] Native Rights: There must be adequate representation and protection of the interests and rights of Sabah's bumiputras at the national level. [iii] Addressing Undocumented Immigrants: Sabahan leaders must have political courage to resolve the long-standing issue of undocumented immigrants, which has plagued Sabah with socio-economic and security problems. For effective control, all immigrants must be identified and registered by the Sabah Government. [5] Good Governance, Transparency and Accountability: Sabah leaders must practice transparent and accountable governance especially in GLCs and award of contracts. Without these, implementation of 'Sabah for Sabahans' will be rendered impossible and meaningless. Development of Sabahan Businessmen/Investors, Young Business Leaders, and Professionals. [1] Sabah politicians MUST STOP these very bad practices: [i] Give Sabahan Businessmen same or better treatments as Foreign Investors. [i] With each change of government or CM, Sabahans leaders 'kill' or put down successful businessmen from the previous administration. Very few businessmen can survive and prosper in the long term. This must stop. Sabah must have successful businessmen for long term. [ii] Sabah leaders have a great preference for GLCs to JV with outsiders even though these outsiders have little creditability. All the failed JV projects in KK by GLCs is testimony to this fact. Must cease discrimination against Sabahan businessmen/investors. [iii] Sabah leaders MUST accord EQUAL ATTENTION attentions to Sabahan businessmen/investors and outsiders. Hajiji's government have implemented many of these 'Sabah for Sabahans' features. These must continue. The essence of 'Sabah for Sabahans' 'Sabah for Sabahans' is the innate desire of all Sabahans for Sabah to become a strong, self-reliant state within Malaysia, with its own destiny primarily shaped by Sabahans and leaders, while upholding our unique identity and securing our rightful share of economic benefits and autonomy that have been enshrined in MA63. The views expressed here are the views of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of the Daily Express. If you have something to share, write to us at: [email protected]
