Body urges round table discussion on Sabah issues

Kota Kinabalu: The Borneo Heritage Foundation (formerly KDI) has called on elected leaders and captains of local industries to come together for a roundtable discussion to find immediate and long term solutions to Sabah's problems.

BHF Chairman, Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan, who is also Parti Keadilan Rakyat Vice President, said in a statement Monday that the foundation was planning to hold the forum here at the end of this month or the first week of July at the latest.

He said in view of the unique Malaysian political scenario and the emerging issues as a direct result of the global energy and food crises, Sabah political and business leaders should discuss the situation and chart a common agenda irrespective of their political affiliation.

"As a Malaysian Sabahan, I am deeply concerned with the current situation and would like to share ideas with other leaders for the common good of Sabah and Sabahans. There is nothing wrong for leaders to come together at a time of crises or when the common interest of Sabahans is at stake," he said.

"Sabah and Sarawak, for the first time in our political history, are in a position to 'control' the levers of power and can decide which party can form the Federal Government or if they know how," he said, adding, "but the window of opportunity won't last long."

He said though both are oil and gas producing states, they were at the bottom of the economic development ladder and were two of the poorest states.

Towards this end Jeffrey argued that they could use the opportunity to bargain for a better deal.

"Sabah, as a partner to the formation of Malaysia, is now treated like just one of the 13 states and ruled like a typical colony. This is the time and opportunity to restore our status as a true partner."

He said there was also a need to put forward one voice and agree on a practical solution on the illegal immigrant problem in Sabah.

"Under these conditions we need to urgently seek the answer as to what we need to do as a state in Malaysia, as leaders, and as responsible citizens," he said. "We cannot continue to allow the situation to continue to deteriorate, with the government dilly-dallying on pursuing real solutions, and acting on ad-hoc reactions, sometimes as if they are confused and experimenting with measures that at times are making things worse," he added.