17 hours ago
If Sarawak can, Sabah can: SAPP
Published on: Sunday, June 29, 2025
Published on: Sun, Jun 29, 2025 Text Size: Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) Deputy President Datuk Richard Yong We Kong Kota Kinabalu: Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) Deputy President Datuk Richard Yong We Kong called on Sabahans to take ownership of their future as the State Assembly is set to dissolve automatically by Nov. 11, paving the way for the state election. The SAPP Sec-Gen said the election presents an important opportunity for the people to strengthen state autonomy and ensure Sabah's direction remains in the hands of its own people. Speaking at the joint annual meeting of the SAPP Kepayan and Moyog Constituency Liaison Committees in Penampang, Yong, who is a Deputy Speaker, believes the future of Sabah must be decided by Sabahans themselves. 'This is a critical moment. We must defend our sovereignty and ensure the key to our future remains in our own hands,' he said. Citing neighbour Sarawak, Yong pointed to its achievements in financial independence. 'Sarawak has stood firm in asserting its rights. It recorded RM14.1 billion in revenue for 2024, more than double Sabah's RM6.4 billion. It has established its own sovereign wealth fund and is introducing free education. This shows what's possible when a state holds control over its finances.' In contrast, he laments Sabah still relies heavily on federal allocations and has yet to realise the 40 per cent net revenue return promised under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63). Despite five changes in the federal leadership, he said, progress on MA63 has remained elusive. He also called on Sabahans to closely follow the Sabah Law Society's legal action which goes to trial on July 7, seeking to enforce the 40 per cent revenue entitlement. 'If successful, just from inland revenue alone, this could mean at least RM2 billion more for Sabah,' he said. 'What matters most is that Sabah's future is decided by Sabahans who are truly committed to defending our rights. We cannot hand the key to outsiders,' he stressed. SAPP Kepayan CLC Chairman Datuk Chong Pit Fah said the annual meeting carried special weight with the state election looming, describing it as a time for serious reflection on Sabah's future. He drew comparisons to Sarawak's firm stance on oil royalties, federal allocations and control over its own media. 'Everything Sarawak asked for has been delivered, step by step. Today, Sarawak is wealthier than Putrajaya. If we in Sabah want the same outcome, the only way forward is to vote for local parties,' Chong said. He said SAPP, which pulled out of Barisan Nasional in 2008, was the first to openly champion the Sabah autonomy movement and has consistently defended state rights. 'In recent times, some peninsula-based parties have started claiming they too support autonomy. But these are empty words designed to confuse the public and blur the facts,' he said. 'True autonomy means we no longer have to fly across the South China Sea just to ask what is rightfully ours.' He urged Sabahans to stop believing the notion that such aspirations are impossible. 'Sarawak has already proven otherwise. Blindly following others will only lead to confusion, and in the end, all we'll be left with are more taxes.' * 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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