Call on Pandikar Amin to accept STAR president’s open debate on MA63

KOTA SAMARAHAN: Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak Baru (PBDS Baru) has called upon Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia to accept the challenge from State Reform Party (STAR) president Lina Soo for an open debate on Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).

According to PBDS Baru president Cobbold John Lusoi, Pandikar Amin should accept the challenge from STAR, instead of challenging Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg, since Soo had answered Pandikar Amin’s call for debate.

By challenging the chief minister, it means that Pandikar Amin is challenging ‘the entire Sarawak’, he said.

“It seems that he (Pandikar Amin) is intentionally ignoring STAR for accepting his open challenge on MA63. He should know well not to stir up unnecessary sentiments, if he’s not well versed in the matters of the Malaysia Agreement 1963,” Cobbold said in a statement yesterday.

Cobbold also said Pandikar Amin made things worse by challenging Abang Johari after acknowledging his (Abang Johari’s) disagreement with the statement about the nonimportance of MA63.

“He (Pandikar Amin) should stop diverting his directives by using his challenge to the chief minister or stirring up propaganda using the chief minister as an excuse.

“He must not forget that he also a Sabahan, and that Sabahans are pursuing the same issue as well. PBDS Baru thus hopes that Pandikar Amin would not opt out from his open debate challenge, which was officially accepted by Soo, and bring shame to all Sabahans.

“Not accepting the challenge gives the impression that he is afraid that a woman president might humiliate him during the debate.”

Cobbold also opined that if Abang Johari disagreed with Pandikar Amin’s views, it would be essential to take prompt action in the MA63 issue.

“This is not something that is to be politicised about; it is rather an urgent issue for the rights of every Sarawakian, which needs to be uphold. The matters has been delayed for 54 long years and action needs to be taken soon by the Chief Minister and his team to resolve the matter before more busybodies like Pandikar Amin use such matter as political propaganda,” Cobbold said.