Sarawak leaders vow to restore rights
CM: Task force set up to reinstate principles under Malaysia Agreement
KUCHING: Sarawak leaders pledged to restore the state’s rights under the Malaysia Agreement during a special one-day sitting to mark the state legislative assembly’s 150th anniversary.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said the agreement contains the terms to safeguard Sarawak’s special interests within the Federation of Malaysia.
“These rights are sacred to all Sarawakians,” he said at the sitting yesterday. “It is unquestionable that we should naturally wish to defend the rights of our own state.”
Abang Johari said a high-level special task force, set up through a resolution passed by the assembly in November, was now looking at ways to present the state’s position to the Federal Government.
Among others, Sarawak is seeking to restore its rights to 12 nautical miles of territorial waters, limited to three nautical miles by the Territorial Sea Act 2012.
He also said Sarawak would exert its mining rights, including for oil, as part of its rights under the Federal Constitution, despite the Petroleum Development Act 1974, which gives Petronas the right to explore for petroleum in the state.
Abang Johari said the anniversary was a meaningful one for the country’s oldest state legislature.
The assembly first convened in Bintulu on Sept 8, 1867, when it was known as the General Council during the rule of James Brooke, the first White Rajah of Sarawak.
“The Sarawak Legislative Assembly is not merely a building but a group of true, dedicated and chosen leaders who debate and agree on the path Sarawak should take now and in the future.
“Where we are today is, of course, the result of the efforts, contributions and sacrifices of our past leaders,” Abang Johari said.
Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri James Masing said he supported the state government's efforts to regain Sarawak's rights, which had eroded over time.
He expressed confidence that the Federal Government under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak would honour the Malaysia Agreement.
“If this request had been made during former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's time, it would have been viewed with hostility and high-handedly dismissed.
“Therefore, it would be to Sarawak’s benefit that Najib continues to stay as PM as he is the first top Malaysian leader to listen to our requests and take Sarawak’s needs and interests into consideration when making decisions.
“As he is also the first prime minister to promise to let Sarawak reclaim what is rightfully ours in the agreement, we have faith that he will do what is required based on his track record,” Masing said.
He added that it would also be to Sarawak's benefit for Barisan Nasional to win the coming general election, while the alternative prime minister, proposed by Pakatan Harapan, would be a “disaster” for the state.