“The Federal Government, under Full Autonomy for Sabah and Sarawak, should confine itself in Borneo to defence, internal security, and foreign affairs in line with MA63 and the Inter-Governmental Committee Report (IGC).”
Arthur added that history textbooks in Malaysia should also be revised and updated to include the formation of Malaysia. “We want a whole chapter in history textbooks on the formation of Malaysia. The facts on the formation must be taught in schools, institutions of higher learning, and incorporated in nation-building courses as well as government courses.”
“MA63 is a significant event missing from history books in Malaysia.”
The Youth Chief pointed out that the United Nations had recognized the sovereignty of Sabah and Sarawak, as nations, vide Registration 10760 lodged with the world body on 21 September 1970. “The position of Sabah and Sarawak in the Federation with Malaya was in compliance with the UN general Assembly Resolution 1541 (XV), Principle IX. “Hence, this also rules out the claim to parts of Sabah by the defunct Sulu Sultanate via the Government of the Philippines.”
The Manila Accord in 1963 also did not object to the Federation of Sabah with Sarawak, Singapore and Malaya,” continued Arthur. “We object to the Sabah claim. Hence, there’s a need to expel the illegal immigrants from the Philippines in Sabah and expedite as well the issuance of the Sabah IC since outsiders have acquired MyKads.”
“There are several overlapping treaties pertaining to the Sabah claim. This makes the Sabah claim baseless.”
Under the Madrid Protocol 1885, continued Arthur, Spain agreed to relinquish its territories in Borneo after it found in concord with the United Kingdom and Germany, that the Sulu Sultanate had become defunct after the last Sultan died without leaving a male heir.
The consensus in the legal community in Sabah and Sarawak is that the onus is on the Sabah and Sarawak Assemblies and the Sabah and Sarawak Governments to exercise their rights under MA63 as an International Agreement/Treaty and Trust Deed lodged with the UN Secretary-General.
The Sarawak Chief Minister has said that his administration was engaged in discussions with the Federal Government on Full Autonomy for his state. However, Putrajaya only envisages handing over control of certain Federal Government Departments in Borneo to locals or to the Sabah and Sarawak Governments.