‘PM WALKS THE TALK’
Masing says Najib willing to fix issue
PRIME Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak walks the talk in returning state rights to Sarawak, which have been eroded under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr James Jemut Masing said Najib, an open-minded leader who admitted that the state’s rights had been taken by the Federal Government over the years, was willing to negotiate on the matter.
“The prime minister recognises that something was not right (about the issue) and is committed to fix it. Thus, efforts have been made to negotiate which (rights) should to be given back to us. Najib walks the talks, and is not all talk and no action.”
He was commenting on the establishment of Petroleum Sarawak Bhd (Petros) on Tuesday, of which Sarawak held full rights to the state’s natural resources, including its oil and gas industry.
“Sarawak will have full control of its oil and gas resources. This is something that we have missed all these years. We must thank our leaders, Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Abdul Rahman Johari Abang Openg, as well as Najib for this.”
Masing, who was optimistic that there would be more progress in the devolution of powers, called on the opposition in Sarawak to support Barisan Nasional (BN) to ensure more rights were returned to the state.
Under former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s administration, Masing said, the issue of devolution powers never saw daylight.
“He (Dr Mahathir) was prime minister for 22 years. Did he ever review or check the federal constitution on Sarawak rights? No, he did not. This announcement is a case of better late than never.”
State Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said Sarawakians always had felt that they had to be given an inequitable share in terms of development grants when compared with Peninsular Malaysia.
This, he said, led to some Sarawak folk feeling marginalised.
“However, formation of Petros allows us to manage our resources and generate more income. We can use it to build more roads, schools and other infrastructure. We want to be on a par with states in the peninsula.”
Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian said such a success could be achieved when the state was led only by local parties.
“State BN parties are headed by Sarawakians, thus, we are committed to fighting for Sarawak and our people. We will continue the negotiations to ensure more state rights are returned to us.”
On Monday, Najib, who is BN chairman, reassured Sarawakians and Sabahans that their rights accorded under MA63, which were “wrongfully” taken, would be returned to them.
He reaffirmed his commitment to MA63 in a social media post, which was accompanied by a 47second-long video clip.
In the clip, Najib said: “I will never forget my commitment to MA63. I reiterate that, if there were Sabah rights that were taken away deliberately or by accident, we (the Federal Government) will return them to you (the Sabah government).
“Sabah will remain (part of) Malaysia. Sabah gained its independence in Malaysia and the state will progress in Malaysia. The BN-led government will protect the rights of the state.”
Two days later, Deputy Prime Minister and BN deputy chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the pursuit to uphold MA63 would be included as the main agenda in the ruling coalition’s manifesto for the 14th General Election.