PETALING JAYA – Prime Minister Tan Sri Dato’ Muhyiddin Yassin and the Minister of Communications and Multimedia Saifuddin Abdullah have formally announced that Sabah and Sarawak will be addressed as a “wilayah” (region) instead of a “negeri” (state) starting today, according to a statement by the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (FINAS).
Muhyiddin dropped hints of Sabah and Sarawak being conferred a new title during his visit to Sarawak, where he used the term “wilayah” in his speech for the very first time.
However, Selangau MP Baru Bian questioned the change in identity, saying that it was not in line with history, particularly the Malaysian Agreement 1963 (MA63). He also added that it does not address the rights entitled to Sabah and Sarawak under the agreement such as oil royalties, reported Utusan Borneo Online.
Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said that while he agreed with Muhyiddin addressing Sabah and Sarawak as “regions”, he said that changes to the Federal Constitution are still necessary.
“The amendment is needed to have a clear interpretation of Sabah and Sarawak as regions and not states.”
“We cannot be on par with, we cannot be seen or be treated the same as other states in Malaya. We look at Malaya as one region, Sabah as one region, and Sarawak as one region,” he said.
The reason for the sudden change is still unknown, so we have to wait for an explanation from Abah himself.
Sources: Sin Chew Daily
Editor: Raymond Chen
Proofreader: Sarah Yeoh
