MEDIA STATEMENT: THAM YUN FOOK, ADUN N19 LIKAS IN RESPONSE TO STATEMENT BY UMNO VETERAN Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah
I view seriously the statement made by Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah in an interview with Free Malaysia Today on 27 March, which claimed that the people of Sabah and Sarawak are confusing autonomy with independence.
This statement is not only inaccurate, but also reflects a shallow understanding of the real situation in Sabah.
As a Sabahan and the ADUN for Likas, I wish to firmly state that the people of Sabah are not confused. The real issue has never been about understanding, but rather the continued failure of certain parties to respect and implement Sabah’s rights as enshrined in the Malaysia Agreement 1963.
It is unjust to portray the demands of the people of Sabah as a form of confusion, when in reality these demands are legitimate, grounded in history, agreements, and the Federal Constitution.
Such statements also appear to undermine the voice of the people of Sabah, as if we do not understand our own position within the Federation of Malaysia. The truth is, the people of Sabah have been patient for far too long with many promises that have yet to be fully fulfilled.
The real issue is about equity and implementation, not confusion. Sabah has never demanded anything beyond what is rightfully ours—we are only asking for what was agreed upon at the formation of Malaysia.
If there is any confusion, it does not lie with the people of Sabah, but with those who still fail to understand the true spirit of the Federation of Malaysia as a fair partnership among regions.
Veteran leaders such as Tengku Razaleigh should play a role in strengthening this understanding, not in making statements that may mislead the public or diminish the legitimate demands of the states in East Malaysia.
Sabah is not confused. Sabah is aware. Sabah demands its rights.
Thank you.
THAM YUN FOOK
ADUN N19 LIKAS
