KOTA KINABALU, March 6, 2016: The Citizens' Declaration, dubbed "anti-Najib
declaration", gives new hopes that finally change can be achieved in the
near future. But it is sad for Sabahans and Sarawakians that the
declaration yesterday by the nation's ex-prime minister, ex-deputy prime
minister, ex-ministers and all sorts of top opposition and civil society
leaders have forgotten completely the plight of the Borneo territories. As
a result, the Citizens Declaration has become an entirely "Malayan
affair", says Sabah Progressive Party President Datuk Yong Teck Lee in a
statement.
He added that other than calling for the repeal of recent laws that
oppress the people, the declaration should have also called for the
abolition unfair policies imposed on Sabah such as the cabotage policy and
the Malayanisation of the civil service.
"The Citizens declaration should have been an excellent opportunity to
recognise the autonomy for Sabah and Sarawak promised in the Malaysia
Agreement and the dropping of criminal charges against Sabahan activists
who had championed compliance with the Malaysia Agreement.
"As for the declaration calling for the restoration of the integrity of
the nation's institutions such as the MACC and Police, it should have
included the National Registration Department so that the sanctity of
citizenship documents can be preserved.
"The continued issuance of dubious citizenship documents by Putrajaya to
unqualified foreigners cannot be tolerated," Yong pointed out.
"Finally, with the continued failure of the federal government to uplift
Labuan as promised in the 1984 federalisation of Labuan, the time has come
to campaign for the eventual return of Labuan to Sabah," said Yong.
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