AHMAD ZAHID: BN COMMITTED TO FULFILLING SABAH’S MA63 RIGHTS

KOTA KINABALU, Nov 22 (Bernama) -- Barisan Nasional (BN) will make efforts to fulfil all of Sabah's claims under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) if it is given the mandate in the 17th Sabah State Election, said BN chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Ahmad Zahid, who is Deputy Prime Minister, said he would personally pursue this matter to ensure that Sabah’s rights under the agreement are fully realised.

He said BN's commitment to MA63 is not political rhetoric but a continuation of the struggle that began under the previous BN administration and is being pursued under the current MADANI Government.

“The main concern of Sabahans is the implementation of MA63, and I am confident that with the commitment of the MADANI Government, MA63 will certainly be implemented, because I will personally press for it to be carried out fully at the Cabinet level.

“Insya-Allah, Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup, as president of Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah, a BN component party in Sabah, will also raise the matter,” he told reporters after launching the BN manifesto here today.

Also present at the event at the Sabah UMNO Building were Sabah BN chairman Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin, BN secretary-general Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir, Wanita BN chief Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad and UMNO secretary-general Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki.

Ahmad Zahid also rejected allegations that MA63 is a burden, stressing that such remarks do not reflect BN’s actual position, which has always been open to ensuring that Sabah’s rights are upheld in line with the Constitution.

He added that resolving Sabah’s basic infrastructure issues is a key factor in attracting foreign direct investment, which in turn would create more job opportunities for youths in Sabah, which records the highest unemployment rate in the country.

“There are 169,000 unemployed individuals from Sabah. That is why education initiatives through the Technical and Vocational Education and Training ecosystem are being emphasised in Sabah, so that job opportunities can be created for the state’s young people,” he said.

He also said several major projects would be expedited if BN returns to lead the state government, including the completion of the Pan Borneo Highway, the development of a major port in Kudat, and plans for a new airport.

Ahmad Zahid expressed confidence that BN could achieve a stronger victory in this state election, but acknowledged that the party machinery must work harder to convince voters, while not dismissing the strength of its opponents.

“Let us turn Sabah blue again. We have a long history; when Sabah was under BN, it was once a very progressive state.

“If BN is given the mandate again, we will work with other parties and coalitions to redevelop the state,” he said.

In the last Sabah state election, BN won 14 of the 40 seats it contested.

In this election, BN is contesting 45 of the 73 seats up for grabs, with 81 per cent of its candidates being new faces, nearly half of whom are professionals and young individuals.

Polling is on Nov 29 and early voting is on Nov 25.

For the latest news on the 17th Sabah State Election, visit https://prn.bernama.com/sabah/index.php  

-- BERNAMA