Reclaiming Sarawak’s rights: I will tackle this matter later

KUCHING: It appears that there is still hope for the deal on restoring Sarawak’s rights under Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), which was previously offered by Pakatan Harapan (PH) to the state government, to be up for negotiations.

Upon being asked why the state Barisan Nasional (BN) government had rejected the ‘new deal’ offered by PH Sarawak chairman Chong Chieng Jen, Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg gave a cautious, yet positive, reaction.

“I will tackle this matter later,” he told reporters briefly after the launch of Sarawak State Mosques Welfare Trust Board (LAKMNS) ecemetery web and the distribution of ‘Bubur Masja-Sa’ at Masjid Jamek here yesterday.

The PH Sarawak’s ‘New Deal’ offered to the state government had stated, among other things, 20 per cent oil royalty, as well as autonomy over education and health matters.

Other offers in the deal included 50 per cent of all taxes collected in Sarawak to be given to state government as revenue to undertake education and health programmes; restoration of Sarawak as one of the three territories in Malaysia, instead of one of 13 territories; and devolution of power in areas of trade and commerce.

Recently, Chong said the deal was off after the recipient (Sarawak government) refused to sign it.

On talks that partners in BN Sarawak might form a local-based coalition called ‘Gagasan Sarawak’, Abang Johari – also BN Sarawak chairman – said he would prefer to not talk about it during the fasting month.

“Wait first – it’s still the fasting month; let us observe this fasting month first,” he said.

Petra Jaya MP Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof; Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah; Assistant Minister of Rural Electricity Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi; Demak Laut assemblyman Dr Hazland Abang Hipni; Kuching North Datuk Bandar Datuk Abang Abdul Wahap Abang Julai; and Sarawak Islamic Council president Datu Misnu Taha, witnessed the launch yesterday.