KOTA KINABALU: The new Prime Minister is sincere in wanting to improve the gaps in various aspects among Sabah, Sarawak and the other Malaysian states, says minister in Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Maximus Ongkili.

       He said as the nation celebrates the 58th anniversary of the formation of the Federation of Malaysia on Sept 16, there were still many aspects with regards to the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), socially and economically, that needed to be addressed and made known to Malaysians.

       “Personally, he (Ismail) has told me he is committed to keep and improve the special structure and focus to bridge the gap between Sabah and Sarawak on one hand, and the Malayan states on the other," said the minister in charge of Sabah and Sarawak affairs.

       "He is aware that there is great disparity between the West and the East and that there is unhappiness among the youth of Sabah and Sarawak to really see and experience the Shared Prosperity Vision 2030," Ongkili said.

       He has high expectations that the new PM will continue the commitment to develop Sabah and Sarawak, as pushed by the previous prime ministers Datuk Seri Najib Razak and Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

       Asked about his expectations for Malaysia Day, he said his wishes and desires would always be lengthy.

       Ongkili said MA63 was fundamental in sustaining the federation and strengthening unity and solidarity.

       "Hence, addressing non-compliances to the stated agreement is crucial. We must always remember there is no Federation of Malaysia if there was no Malaysia Agreement," he said.

       He said many Malaysian leaders including government administrators have not given due respect to the importance of MA63.

       Ongkili warned that the threats to widening frustrations and unhappiness especially among the younger generation of Sabahans and Sarawakians were real, especially now that there was a wide space for expressing discontentment and easy access to all sorts of information.

       He said the real history on the formation of the nation must be included in school syllabuses, apart from getting the relevant information published widely.

       "The economic and social gaps between peninsula Malaysia and Sabah and Sarawak must be bridged," he added.

       "We need more Sabahans and Sarawakians in the Federal development planning agencies so that our own people are involved hands-on to deliver planned development to people here, especially those in rural sectors," Ongkili added.