Former Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) vice-president Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan today announced the formation of a Borneo 3rd Force – United Borneo Front (UBF) – to struggle for justice and rights of Sabah and Sarawak as stipulated in the Malaysian Agreement 1963.
In outlining the agenda of UBF, a loose grouping, he said UBF demanded the establishment of a compliance mechanism to the Malaysian Agreement 1963, especially Article VIII, a fairer revenue sharing formula and representation at the federal level, and restoration of Sabah and Sarawak’s status as equal partners in the federation.
Jeffrey said UBF also wanted the federal government to protect native customary rights an enshrined in Article 153 of the Federal Constitution.
“We also demand for the abolishment of the cabotage/trade policies, and narrowing of the economic and digital divide,” he told reporters, here, today.
Asked whether he was quitting PKR, Jeffrey said he had yet to submit his resignation letter to the party headquarters.
“I will announce when the time is right,” he said.
Asked whether he would form a new party or join another party, he said: “We shall give our full support to whoever can fulfil the above conditions.
“However, if we need to show that we are serious, then we shall join the political fray. We shall have a political vehicle to achieve our aim.
“Most important of all, we Sabahans and Sarawakians want to be Malaysian, standing tall and be equal among our countrymen.”
Jeffrey believed these summed up the aspirations of the people in Sabah and Sarawak, those who remained partyless, those sitting on the fence, and those who were still undecided but who all loved and cared about Sabah. – BERNAMA
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