Sabah’s Rights Report Ready By End Of March – Teo

KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Rights Review Committee will be compiling the views and inputs of political parties here concerning the state’s rights that were gathered during a hearing held yesterday.

Its chairman, Datuk Teo Chee Kang, told reporters that once compiled into a report, it would be submitted to the State Cabinet for its approval.

“The report will be the basis upon which we will talk with KL (Kuala Lumpur) on these issues pertaining Sabah (rights),” he said.

He added that the report would most likely be ready by the end of March.

A total of 10 political parties turned up for the hearing yesterday. They consisted of Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS), Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA), United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (UPKO), Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS), Democratic Action Party (DAP), Umno, Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) and PAS.

Teo said that he was quite happy with the feedback received, stating that some members took the pain to do their own research and came up with lengthy write-ups during the hearing.

He said that invitations were also sent out to the other parties, among them Parti Warisan Sabah, Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) and STAR.

“But we received letters from the parties concerned to say that they would not be attending the hearing. We respect their rights not to turn up,” he said.

He added that among those who did not turn up were members of the State Assembly who have eagerly debated the issue of Sabah’s rights but unfortunately, failed to turn up for the hearing.

Teo said that the report would become the basis of the reference to the statutory provision in the Federal Constitution to support Sabah’s claims and regain Sabah’s rights which were bargained when Malaysia was formed.

Among the issues raised were on Sabah’s revenue rights, rights over oil and gas, Sabah’s education and healthcare and Sabah’s boundary, he said.-BP