Meeting on review of MA63 fruitful – Abg Johari

SIBU: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg has described the meeting on the review of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 ( MA63) in Putrajaya as fruitful.

“It was good, just like Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said – it was good,” he told reporters after officiating at the business dialogue here yesterday, organised by Sarawak Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) Sibu Region, and attended by some 400 participants.

Asked if there were any breakthroughs, he said: “It is still on- going discussion. Put it this way, the Technical Committee is discussing on certain issues, which is also good.”

To a question on Sarawak’s status as a region in the formation of Federation of Malaysia based on Malaysia Agreement 1963, he said: “Already settled. They will announce it because you have to amend the constitution ... let them discuss first. I will let you know once it is concrete…no, we have agreed that there are three regions – Sabah, Sarawak, and ( peninsula) – that is all - during the first meeting ( last December) – already agreed.”

According to Bernama, the Special Cabinet Committee ( Steering Committee) to review MA63, which aims to restore the status of Sabah and Sarawak as equal partners in the formation of Malaysia, held its first meeting on Dec 17 last year.

Meanwhile, the dialogue was moderated by organising chairman and SCCI Sibu Region chairman Datuk Jason Tai Hee.

Sarawak Chamber of Commerce and Industry ( SCCI) president Datuk Abang Abdul Karim Tun Openg also spoke at the function.

Among those present were Assistant Minister of Education and Technological Research Dr Annuar Rapaee, Sibu Municipal Council ( SMC) chairman Datuk Tiong Thai King, Sibu Resident Charles Siaw, and United Chinese Association ( UCA) Sibu president Ngieng Ping Sing.