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KUALA LUMPUR: Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin (pix) He said that he will ensure that Sabah and Sarawak are treated fairly in various respects, in line with the creation of the portfolio of Sabah and Sarawak Affairs in the federal cabinet of Perikatan Nasional (PN).
Considering the large gap between Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah and Sarawak, which are lagging behind in several respects, the Prime Minister expressed the view that much more work remains to be done to bring the two states on par with the peninsula.
“Sabah and Sarawak must be treated fairly. That is why I have appointed a minister who manages the affairs of Sabah and Sarawak and the MA63 (Malaysia Agreement of 1963). We will evaluate and refine. We have reached a common agreement on some issues, ”he said in a special interview with Bernama and various media outlets at his residence in Bukit Damansara here in conjunction with his first anniversary as prime minister.
The interview was also carried out on the Bernama Newsletter on Bernama TV and other television channels at 8 pm today.
Muhyiddin, who took over the reins of the government on March 1, 2020, said that the creation of the Sabah and Sarawak Affairs portfolio was due to the position of the two states that were behind in terms of development and infrastructure.
“At first, when I formed the Cabinet, I thought this was something important. That is why I appointed the Minister (Datuk Seri Dr) Maximus (Johnity) Ongkili and the Deputy Minister (Datuk Hanifah Hajar Taib). I have initiated special meetings with the chief ministers (of Sabah and Sarawak) to discuss the Malaysia Agreement of 1963 (MA63), ”he said.
Although various development efforts and agendas have been launched for the two states, the prime minister said, Sabah and Sarawak still lag far behind, and the key issues that have plagued them for so long are poverty, infrastructure, the economy and the Internet access.
“… Much remains to be done to bring Sabah and Sarawak on a par with the peninsula. Even on the peninsula, there are states that are still behind compared to other states.
“These are issues that have been around for a long time that I inherited, but we have to find a way now in the Perikatan Nasional (PN) administration as to how we want to bridge the gap that we had mentioned in the Shared Prosperity Vision,” he said. . saying.
In addition to the issues related to MA63, Muhyiddin described the creation of the cabinet portfolio as very important for Sabah and Sarawak to make the Vision of Shared Prosperity 2030, which aims to ensure an equitable and inclusive economic distribution that encompasses all regions. , exit.
Committed to ensuring that the rights of Sabah and Sarawak as found in MA63 are preserved, Muhyiddin explained that as chairman of the MA63 Special Council, he has initiated special meetings with the chief ministers of Sabah and Sarawak to discuss the issue.
“I have resolved the Petronas issue for Sarawak, any claims and all other matters, with a common understanding, and I am having discussions with Sabah,” he said.
The establishment of the Special Council on MA63 was announced by Muhyiddin at the celebration of Malaysia Day in Sibu, Sarawak, on September 16 last year. The secretariat of the council is the Division for Sabah and Sarawak Affairs in the Prime Minister’s Department.
The members of the Special Council held their first meeting on December 2 last year and approved the establishment of three committees that will deal with various matters that are important to Sabah and Sarawak. -Called
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