KOTA KINABALU: A public forum was held at the Magellan Sutera Harbour Ballroom here yesterday focusing on whether Sabah should be in Malaysia or outside Malaysia.
In attendance were Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Minister, Dato’ Abdul Rahman Dahlan, who is also Kota Belud Member of Parliament; Penampang Member of Parliament, Darrel Leiking; vice president of Solidarity Masyarakat Sabah (SMS Ramli Akim and UMS lecturer, Dr Ramzah Dambul. The dialogue was moderated by Musli Oli.
The event was organized by non-governmental organization, Suara Masyarakat Sabah, and highlighted whether the state of Sabah should be part of the Federation of Malaysia.
During his opening speech, Ramli stated how the forum would be a way to discuss a number of things such as oil royalties, as well as the 20-Point Agreement between the State of Sabah made in 1963.
He also added how SMS had been struggling to find a way to talk about the topics in a manner which is mature and professional.
“We will be discussing the future of the state,” said Ramzah Dambul, a climatologist and senior lecturer from UMS.
He said the unity of Sabah and Sarawak to Peninsular Malaysia was akin to a marriage where West Malaysia is the husband and East Malaysia the wife.
Ramzah also added that to truly understand the meaning of the unity of East and West Malaysia, other entities and factors should be taken into consideration.