Pandikar’s insinuation shows his ignorance of MA63 — Dr Sim

KUCHING: Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia’s insinuation that the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) is unimportant only goes to show his ignorance, says SUPP president Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian.

He said the agreement was in fact an international treaty, and the basis for the formation of Malaysia.

“The stand of SUPP over the MA63 is firm and clear. We insist on thorough review of the agreement, and take back those rights, protections and safeguards that were originally ours as stated in the agreement.

“It is an undisputed fact that Sabah and Sarawak and Malaya are equal partners and Sarawak is not just one of 13 states in Malaysia,” he said in a statement received here yesterday.

Dr Sim, who is also Minister of Local Government and Housing, said Pandikar Amin’s view not only denied the equal partnership of Sarawak, but also dismissed the true historical facts of the formation of the Federation of Malaysia.

“SUPP joins hands with all Sarawakians and stands solidly behind Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg in demanding for a review of the MA63.

“We fully support the stand of our Chief Minister and we will never compromise on any attempt by any national leader to disregard the importance of MA63.”

He also said Parliament has no power to make any amendment to the Federal Constitution because such amendments would infringe on the special rights, safeguards and protections given to Sarawak and Sabah.

“These special safeguards and protections given to Sarawak and Sabah are incorporated in the Federal Constitution which was enacted under the Malaysia Act 1963, and passed by the UK Parliament and Federation of Malaya.

“The Federal Constitution had been amended more than 500 times over the past 50 years,” he said.

He also said the amendments had grossly eroded the original safeguards, powers and protections given to Sarawak and Sabah.

“As such, it is right and proper for the Sarawak Government to ask the Federal Government to review MA63 seriously.”

He said the fact remained that Sarawak and Sabah were not one of 13 states of Malaysia, but equal partners in the formation of the Federation of Malaysia.