Needed – bold MPs to stop unfair policies
By Queville To, Free Malaysia Today
KOTA KINABALU: United Borneo Front (UBF) leader Jeffrey Kitingan has called on all MPs from Sabah to demand changes to correct imbalances and unfair policies that have caused the cost of living in Sabah to soar.
“The laws and policies which put Sabah and Sarawak at an unfair economic disadvantage can only be reversed if the Borneo parliamentarians reacted in one voice to demand changes to policies such those related to cabotage and trans-shipment of goods via Port Klang,” he said.
He was speaking in response to complaints and questions from the business community during a UBF gathering in Keningau over the weekend over the high cost of doing business due to the cabotage policy.
The business people in Sabah claimed that they have been victims of unfair trade practices imposed by Kuala Lumpur.
They said they have no choice but to raise the price of sundry goods to the extent that it was beyond the means of the people, especially those living far from towns.
Jeffrey said the answer lay with the local members of Parliament.
“The peninsula takes up 166 seats in Parliament… after the 2008 election. Sabah and Sarawak hold 56 seats and Labuan one.
“If all 56 Sabah and Sarawak MPs joined and put the Borneo Agenda at the forefront, they will be able to have a greater say in Parliament.
