KENINGAU: Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) Youth Exco chief Datuk Jake Jikulin Nointin has asked the Federal government to also provide scholarship quota to Sabahans besides the 20 per cent oil royalty and representation on the Petronas board of directors.
“I have also asked that the full power of the operation and management of the new oil wells discovered to be fully surrendered to the state government,”he said in his speech at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the three component Barisan Nasional (BN) Youth movements, namely, United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun and Murut Organization (UPKO), PBS and Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS) here on Saturday night.
PBS was represented by Jake, UPKO by its Youth Exco chief, Arthur Sen and PBRS by its Youth Exco chief, Arthur Joseph Kurup.
Jake said it is up to the state government to decide which party would operate the wells and not necessarily Petronas as the important thing is for the state to get high returns for the people’s progress.
He said the MoU should be seen as an attempt to complement efforts presently being made by state leaders rather than to deny their efforts.
“Through this combination, we want to help our leaders and the Barisan Nasional (BN) to administer the country efficiently and fairly, the results of which can be enjoyed by Malaysians, especially for local people of Sabah and Sarawak.
“We are proud because we belong to a BN coalition whose symbol is equality (scales of justice), but more often we feel that the scale is tilted not to our advantage, when referring to Sabah and Sarawak.
“Thus, even if we look to diplomacy as a good method, and are not aggressive enough, people will assume that we do not really want to claim our rights,” he said.
Jake added it was time for local parties, UPKO, PBS and PBRS, to lead the leadership of the State in accordance with the appropriate rights which are owned by the people of the state.
“Not that we do not want Umno, but it is time for us to strengthen our parties to better understand and care for the fate of the people of Sabah,” he stressed.
Arthur Joseph said the MoU is a starting point for the youth’s journey in the party.
“Looking at the origin of the three parties (PBS, PBRS and UPKO), there is no denying that our struggle is the same, to take care of the interest and well-being of the people of Sabah.
“On this day, we have three parties fighting for the same issues, among others, the oil royalty increase to 20 percent, Borneonisation issues relating to the 20 points for Sabah and 18 points for Sarawak, the issue of illegal immigrants, the distribution of 35 percent of seats for Sabah and Sarawak, the space for race categories in official forms and others.
“We realize that if we move on our own accord, we cannot go far. But as a united force, we can become stronger, like that of a large ship,” he said.
Arthur Joseph said additionally, the MOU also provided an opportunity for all members of the three parties’ youth movements to meet and get to know each other, thus diminishing the wall that seemed to exist between them.
Arthur Sen said with the MoU, it is hoped the BN Youth wings in Sabah and Sarawak will not feel sidelined again.
“Over the years, whenever we were invited to the Youth General Meeting in the Peninsula, we do not seem to have an important role in the youth movement as a whole, and often asked just to fill in the empty spaces at the back. We, it seems, are only called to make up the quorum.
“With this combination, we want to be seen as a force that is capable of shaking the consciousness of others, who will then begin to see that our voices needed to be heard and be given serious consideration.
“We want others to realize that Sabah and Sarawak are not equal with the other states in Malaysia. We want to stand level with the Peninsula and not always at their mercy,”he said.
Arthur Sen added the combination of the youth movements would not negate all the development that had been undertaken by the former state fleaders nor would they be now, but Sabah and Sarawak should get more than what it is getting now.
“Sabah’s position is still far from what people perceived it to be. After 51 years of independence, people see illegal immigrants possessing MyKads. Is this a gift of independence to Sabah and its people?” he said.
The signing of the MOU is a starting point which significantly forms a united front and cooperation between the parties concerned. A Youth logo depicting all three parties was also launched.
Present at the ceremony were Sarawak Assistant Minister of Culture and Heritage, Liwan Lagang, PBS vice president cum PBS Youth Exco Advisor, Mohd Balbir Arjan, Central Youth Exco and Youth members of all three parties.