CM urged to fight for S’wak’s rights in MA63 meeting

KUCHING: Deputy Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Chong Chieng Jen said the ball is now in Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg’s court to fight for Sarawak’s rights as enshrined in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).

He said this is because the Chief Minister is a member of the MA63 Steering Committee which has yet to convene.

“I am urging him (Abang Johari) to be more courageous in the committee instead of being courageous in Sarawak by making statements in the press,” Chong said at a press conference in the DAP headquarters here yesterday.

As part of the 16-member committee, he said Abang Johari should fight for Sarawak and make demands that could benefit all Sarawakians.

“I am also sure that every Sarawakian would be supporting him and he should stop making excuses,” said Chong, who is also PH Sarawak Chairman.

Among the issues that Abang Johari had been highlighting is that the committee is lopsided, saying its composition must be based on the Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC) with equal representation from Sarawak and Sabah.

“This is a committee to review the MA63. The numbers are secondary. What is important is that the committee will be able to present or articulate their demands,” said Chong.

According to him, what is important is for Abang Johari to have the courage to present the demands of Sarawak to Prime Minister Tun Mahathir Mohamad when they are face-to-face.

Eight members from the Borneo states are Abang Johari, Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal, Minister of Works Baru Bian, Minister of International Trade and Industry Darell Leiking, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Liew Vui Keong, Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak Datuk Seri David Wong Dak Wah, Sarawak Attorney-General Datuk Talat Mahmood and Sabah Attorney-General Datuk Zaleha Rose Pandin.