KUALA LUMPUR: Sabah and Sarawak must be given stronger and more meaningful autonomy than the terms stated in the Malaysia Agreement 1963, Pakatan Harapan Youth said today.
DAP Socialist Youth national chief Wong Kah Woh said should Pakatan Harapan take Putrajaya in the next election, 50 per cent of all taxes collected from the two states must be returned to them to help uplift their economies and the living standards of residents, especially in rural areas.
“This situation is particularly unfortunate for Sabah and Sarawak, which were demoted from one of the three equal entities to one of the thirteen states in the federation,” said Wong.
He was speaking to reporters at a joint press conference today with PKR Youth national chief Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad; Parti Amanah Negara Youth national chief Mohd Sany Hamzah; and Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia Youth national Armada chief Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman.
The four representatives signed a joint statement proposing that the two East Malaysia states be given a new deal that recognises them as equal partners in the federation.
"We are committed to offering a new deal for Sabah and Sarawak that recognises their equal partner status in the federation, as well as to decentralise powers and tax revenue (collection).
“Let Sabah and Sarawak not only have the freedom, but also the ability, to forge their own destinies," said Wong, adding that Pakatan Harapan Youth plans to raise awareness on the new deal they are proposing through #HarapanAnakMuda.