Sarawak to announce over special rights, MA63
KUCHING: A “complete announcement” will be made soon on the next move by the high-level task force to negotiate matters relating to Sarawak’s special rights and Malaysia Agreement 1963, said Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.
“We are having discussions with the chief minister on the matter and he (chief minister) has also discussed the matter with the prime minister,” he told reporters after launching the Dayak Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) Dayak homestay website yesterday.
When asked to elaborate, the deputy chief minister said the “complete announcement will be made later”.
The Sarawak government had wanted Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to lead a federal task force to negotiate matters relating to the state’s special rights and Malaysia Agreement 1963.
Sarawak Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg had said the Sarawak side of the task force would be headed by Uggah with the other two deputy chief ministers Tan Sri Dr James Masing and Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan as members.
On Nov 9, the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly unanimously adopted a motion mandating the state government to form a high-level special task force to negotiate with Putrajaya on all matters related to the state’s special rights and the Malaysia Agreement 1963.
Earlier, in his speech, Uggah urged the Dayak community and entrepreneurs to keep abreast with the ongoing various initiatives undertaken by his ministry in developing the state’s agriculture sector.
Efforts were being taken by his ministry to make Sarawak a net producer and exporter of food products, he said, adding that Sarawak had a vast area of land that could be developed to produce food products. - Bernama