KOTA KINABALU: Datuk Dr Yusof Yacob (Barisan Nasional-Sindumin) has expressed his disappointment over the absence of some assemblymen from today's special sitting to restore the state's rights under the 1963 Malaysia Agreement (MA63).
"I support the Sabah Energy Commission 2023 Bill. I would like to congratulate and thank Sabah Chief Minister (Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor) for recommending the important agenda for Sabah and it has to be passed.
"But I am disappointed with those from the other side. None of them are around, this (passing the bill) is supposed to be a priority.
"I am sorry, they are (my) friends. I don't want to talk about the past but we are supposed to fight for it (state's rights) as it is for the people. It is not personal," he said during the debate on the bill at the state assembly special sitting today.
Dr Yusof, who is one of the five Umno assemblymen who supported Hajiji, added that the latter had managed the state well for the people through endless meetings at the central government to fulfil the rights under MA63.
The sitting saw only 44 out of 79 assemblymen debating the Energy Commission Bill 2023 and the Gas Supply Bill 2023.
Datuk Ewon Benedick (Upko-Kadamaian) also echoed the sentiment on focussing on matters that would benefit the people of Sabah.
"I would like to take part in the bill that was tabled. The acquisition of regulatory powers of the supply sector is part of the MA63 agreement, it has been the desire of the people of Sabah for a long time.
"Today it is done with the tabling, I believe that the assembly will approve it. I am proud to be part of the parliament and now on the passing of the bill.
"This should be the focus, to demand our rights in the MA63 and the Federal Constitution, not on other things like the arrangement of seats in this assembly (alluding to a political coup attempt).
"This should be our focus. I congratulate the Sabah government for its firmness these past few days that led to the tabling of this bill."
Despite the absence of some assemblymen from Sabah Umno, Warisan and Parti Kesejahteraan Demokratik Masyarakat, both bills were passed.
Earlier this morning, Sabah Umno and Warisan had issued separate statements that their assemblymen would not be attending the sitting.
Nevertheless, both had said that they supported the bills.
However, Sabah Assembly speaker Datuk Seri Kadzim Yahya said the intention to be supportive of the bills should be recorded in the Hansard and not the newspapers.