KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 25 — PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail pledged today to uphold the two agreements signed upon the formation of Malaysia to protect the interests of Sabah and Sarawak.
In her Christmas address, she singled out Christians from the East Malaysia states, seemingly ahead of the Sarawak state elections, which will take place on September 20, or earlier.
“To Sabah and Sarawak Christians especially, I hope that Christmas this year will be festive and truly meaningful.
“PKR and Pakatan Harapan will continue to uphold the 18- and 20- Point Agreement that underpins the foundation of the formation of Malaysia in 1963, and will strive ever harder to ensure the promises made by our founding fathers are kept and fulfilled,” she said in a statement.
The Permatang Pauh MP also said it is time for Malaysians to come together as only by understanding the differences, can the people be united in a peaceful manner.
“Hopefully this Christmas will be more meaningful not just to your family, but also to those who wishes for a better Malaysia,” she said.
The 20- and 18-point agreements, for Sabah and Sarawak respectively, were written under the auspices of the Cobbold Commission in 1962, outlining safeguards to the interests, rights and autonomy of the people of Sabah and Sarawak as equal partners with Malaya and Singapore in the formation of Malaysia.
Proponents of the multi-point agreements have long argued that despite the initial deal, many of the principles were not incorporated into the federal constitution and largely ignored over the years, in favour of rapid development on the Peninsula.
