Umno leaders ignorant of MA63: Ruslan
Published on: Mon, Jul 21, 2025
By: Iskandar Dzulkifli Text Size: Ruslan criticised those who equate Sabah with other states, saying it reflects ignorance of the formation of Malaysia. PAPAR: Umno's Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan should not belittle the 'Sabah for Sabahan' (S4S) slogan by equating Sabah to other states in Malaysia when the Malaysia Agreement clearly held that both Bornean states are partners and not states of Malaya. Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) Vice President Datuk Ruslan Muharam said that S4S symbolises the aspirations of the people of Sabah who want to see the state progress and prosper under the leadership of its own people, while still valuing cooperation with the Federal Government.
Advertisement 'S4S is a reflection of reality, not mere political rhetoric. It embodies the spirit of Sabahans' struggle for their rights and privileges as outlined in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63),' Ruslan said during the launch of the G-NIUS e-Tuition programme. He stressed that Ahmad should be more aware and respectful of Sabahans' sensitivities, and not undermine S4S, which represents the rights and dignity of the people of Sabah. Ahmad, who is also the Head of Umno's Central War Room Secretariat, recently said that the slogan 'Malaysia for Sabah' (M4S) is more inclusive than S4S. The Pontian MP argued that M4S implies that Sabahans are not only for Sabah but are part of a greater Malaysian identity shared with the other 14 states. In response, Ruslan reiterated that Sabah is not just a state but one of the three founding regions of Malaysia, alongside Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia, under the MA63 agreement. Ruslan, who is also the Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister of Sabah, criticised those who equate Sabah with other states, saying it reflects ignorance of the formation of Malaysia. 'Sabah is a region, not an ordinary state. Its status is unique and special, alongside Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia, in forming this country as stipulated in MA63, in line with the 2022 constitutional amendment. Therefore, all parties should acknowledge this fact, and respect the history and spirit of the agreement which laid the foundation of modern-day Malaysia,' he said. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.
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