CM to continue predecessor’s mission, reiterates stand against Umno entry to Sarawak
Abang Johari Tun Openg
KUCHING: Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg is confident that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak can be trusted to comply with the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) as Sarawak continues to pursue its negotiations with Putrajaya on the devolution of power.
Speaking at a media conference after chairing a meeting of the supreme council of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) at the party’s headquarters at Jalan Bako in Petra Jaya here yesterday, Abang Johari said he paid a courtesy call on the prime minister on Friday to brief him on the plans and the path that he (Abang Johari) would take as chief minister of the state.
“I paid a courtesy call on the prime minister yesterday (Friday) and I told him that I would pursue what had been laid out by Tok Nan (Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem). I also feel that we will support him as the prime minister because he (Najib) has helped Sarawak a lot. I can tell you that he is a prime minister who listens.”
Abang Johari added that during the meeting, he had pointed out that his father Tun Datuk Patinggi Abang Openg Abang Sapiee – Sarawak’s first Yang di-Pertua Negeri – and Najib’s father Tun Abdul Razak Hussein who was the nation’s second prime minister, were among the signatories of MA63.
“So I jested that we had to observe what had been signed by our fathers because that was the basis that formed Malaysia. I am sure the prime minister understands and acknowledges what has been stated on the Malaysia Agreement,” he said.
Abang Johari said he also conveyed the state government’s stance against Umno entering the state to Najib, who accepted the state’s position on this issue.
“The issue itself is not sensitive but it is the people who have sensitised the issue. So I want to clarify here that as long as I am the Chief Minister of Sarawak, Umno will not come into Sarawak.
“I have mentioned this yesterday (Friday) to the prime minister and he (Najib) has acknowledged (it),” he said, refuting rumours linking him to Umno.