Expedite return of rights, urges Sarawak deputy CM

KUCHING: The move to study the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), as announced by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, will only delay efforts to return Sabah and Sarawak’s rights.

Deputy Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri James Jemut Masing, said the Federal Government should instead be looking at ways to expedite the process.

“There’s no need to study the agreement again. What should instead be given priority is recognising Sabah and Sarawak’s rights and privileges as promised in MA63 the moment the two territories agreed to form Malaysia on Sept 16, 1963.

“MA63 was signed by four parties, which were the Federation of Malay States (Malaya), Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore, before it exited to form its own administration in 1965. What’s left now are three parties to study if there were breaches to the agreement.”

Masing, who is Parti Rakyat Sarawak president, said only these three parties could decide whether there had been any breach to the agreement to warrant its nullification.

“MA63 was not signed by the Federal Government.

“We don’t want this announcement (by Dr Mahathir) to delay the return of our rights, and Sabah and Sarawak’s status as territories, not states.”

Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu information chief Datuk Idris Buang said Sarawak folk had waited for this announcement.

“We welcome this recognition of Sarawak as a territory and a founding partner of this nation. This enables us to be regarded as a territory and not just a state.

“Sarawak is one of the three components that formed Malaysia, together with Sabah and Malaya, and not just among the 14 states in Malaysia.”

Batang Sadong member of parliament Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said according “territory” status to Sabah and Sarawak would have little meaning unless it was backed up by efforts to rapidly develop the states.

She said all quarters should understand that once Sabah and Sarawak were accorded territory status, they were no longer regarded as states in Malaysia.

She said as such, the return of the territory status should be translated into equality in terms of development and economy.

“This is the best opportunity for the people of Sarawak to unite and demand their rights, as what we did under the devolution of power committee under the previous government.

“As Sarawakians, we should be sensitive to the Federal Government’s intent of returning Sarawak’s rights under MA63,” said Nancy, who is former chairman of the Steering Committee for the Implementation of Devolution of Powers between the Federal Government and Sarawak and Sabah.

Nancy said the people of Sarawak should be ready to monitor the Federal Government’s promising of ensuring that Sabah and Sarawak’s development was on a par with peninsular states.

“As a state government that supports and works with the Federal Government, we should voice our opinion whenever there is an opportunity.

“We should make our voices heard to Pakatan Harapan parties here because they too should fight for Sarawak.

“We should get what we deserve, especially oil royalties, as with a high income, we can develop even faster.”

Limbang member of parliament Hasbi Habibollah urged the Federal Government to remain committed to efforts to reinstate Sabah and Sarawak’s rights.

“What is promised in MA63 must be realised, in line with Sabah and Sarawak’s status as regional states.

“This is important to see a continuation of development in both states, which have been long left out compared with their counterparts in the peninsula.”

Sibuti member of parliament Lukanisman Awang Sauni said it was the responsibility of Sabah and Sarawak’s elected representatives to champion the reinstatement of such rights.

“We have informed the prime minister that the agreement must be honoured,” he said.