Kota Kinabalu: Tuaran Member of Parliament Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau said it will be easy for Sabah Action Body Advocating Rights (Sabar) to raise RM500,000 needed to cover legal costs in pursuing the state’s continental shelf rights – if each elected and/or appointed representative contributes RM5,000.
The NGO requires RM500,000 by April 30 to proceed with its legal challenge at the Federal Court. “This legal action aims to reclaim Sabah’s ownership rights over the seabed, continental shelf and the natural resources contained within.
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“These rights to resource wealth were legally established as early as 1954 under The North Borneo (Alteration of Boundaries) Order in Council, prior to the formation of the Federation of Malaysia.
“However, the state’s control over its maritime territory has been curtailed following the implementation of the Territorial Sea Act 2012 by the Federal Government,” he said, on Facebook, Thursday.
Madius, who is also Assemblyman for Tamparuli, said: “In Sabah, we have a total of 111 representatives at various levels, comprising 25 Members of Parliament, 73 State Assemblymen, 7 Senators and 6 Appointed Assemblymen.
“If all these 111 Yang Berhormats contribute RM5,000 each, we will successfully raise RM555,000.
“This amount will not only exceed the target but also serve as strong proof of our solidarity in defending the state’s interests,” he said.
He praised the early initiative shown by Kudat MP Datuk Verdon Bahanda and Ranau MP Datuk Jonathan Yasin, who each contributed RM5,000 to the campaign.
He stressed that Sabar’s struggle, as a people-driven group with no ties to political parties or corporations, has shown positive progress after securing legal standing (locus standi) by the court.
Overcoming this initial hurdle enabled Sabar to bring the case to court and represent the voice of Sabahans.
Hence, Madius invited fellow leaders to support the effort to ensure the state’s resource wealth can be reclaimed and used for infrastructure development, schools, and hospitals in Sabah.
“Additionally, the fundraising campaign is open to all members of the public who wish to contribute towards legal representation fees and court research costs.
“Public contributions can be made directly to Sabar’s registered trustee bank account at CIMB (8010739874) or via DuitNow QR (SABAR-QR),” he said.
Also present were Keningau MP Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey G Kitingan, Jonathan Yasin (Ranau), Verdon Bahanda (Kudat), Senator Tan Sri Anifah Aman, Datuk Nelson W Angang, Datuk Edward Linggu, Paginatan ADUN Datuk Rusdin Riman and former Sabah Law Society (SLS) President-cum-Nominated Assemblyman Datuk Roger Chin.
