Sabahans must hold own key, says SAPP

Borneo Post

16 hours ago

Richard (front row, third from left), Chong (fourth from left) and Aloysius (second from left) with SAPP members at the annual general meeting.
KOTA KINABALU (June 28): The people of Sabah must defend their sovereignty and make sure the key to their future stays in their own hands in the coming state election, said Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) deputy president cum secretary-general Datuk Richard Yong We Kong.
'Sarawak has stood firm in defending its rights. Its state government recorded RM14.1 billion in revenue for 2024, which is more than twice the revenue of Sabah.
'Sarawak has already set up its own sovereign wealth fund and is introducing free education. This shows a high level of financial independence. In comparison, Sabah's revenue during the same period is only RM6.4 billion. Our financial structure still relies heavily on federal allocations.'
Richard, who also serves as Deputy Speaker of the Sabah State Legislative Assembly, made these remarks on Friday evening while officiating the annual general meeting of SAPP Kepayan and Moyog Constituency Liaison Committees, held jointly in Penampang.
He pointed out that Sabah has yet to fully implement the 40 percent net revenue return promised under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
'This continues to prevent us from having genuine financial control.'
He added that even after five prime ministers, MA63 has made little real progress and Sabah continues to be sidelined.
Richard urged everyone in Sabah to pay close attention to the court case brought by the Sabah Law Society, which will be heard on July 7.
'This case is seeking to legally enforce our 40 percent revenue entitlement, which allows, just from inland revenue alone, Sabah to gain at least RM2 billion more.
'What matters most is that Sabah's future must be decided by Sabahans who are truly committed to defending our rights. We cannot hand the key to outsiders,' he added.
SAPP Kepayan CLC chairman Datuk Chong Pit Fah said the annual general meeting is especially important as the state election draws near.
'This is a moment for us to seriously reflect on the future of Sabah,' he said.
He emphasised that Sarawak has been consistent in standing its ground on issues such as oil royalties, federal allocations and control over its own media narrative. The federal government does not dare to cross Sarawak's lines. Everything Sarawak has asked for has been fulfilled, step by step.
'Today, Sarawak is financially richer than the federal government. If we in Sabah want the same, there is only one way forward. We must vote for local parties.'
Chong said that SAPP, since leaving Barisan Nasional in 2008, was the first party to openly champion the cause of Sabah autonomy, and had never shied away from speaking out.
'Parties from Peninsular Malaysia, however, now claim that they also support autonomy. But such talk is only meant to confuse the public and blur the facts.
'True autonomy means we no longer have to fly across the South China Sea to ask for what is rightfully ours,' he added.
Chong called on Sabah voters to stop being deceived that this is impossible. Sarawak is already a living example of what can be done.
'Blindly following others will only cause us to lose our direction. In the end, all we will get is tax, tax and more tax.'
SAPP Moyog CLC chairman Aloysius Danim Siap said that the party has always taken a practical and down-to-earth approach, and engaged the grassroots directly and does not rely on empty slogans.
'Our leaders are consistent in both word and action. We never back down when it comes to defending Sabah's sovereignty. Real progress must be concrete and deliverable,' he said.