PM had assured he would return the rights of Sarawak and Sabah under MA63, says Fadillah
Fadillah speaking to reporters after officiating the ‘Kami Pengguna Bijak’ (We are Smart Consumers’) Programme. — Photos by Muhammad Rais Sanusi
KUCHING: No party or individual should raise issues concerning the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) negotiations, particularly between Sarawak and Putrajaya, because the talks have already started and achieved several consensuses.
Works Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said this is because Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak had publicly declared that he would restore the rights of Sarawak and Sabah according to MA63 on several occasions, the latest during the latter’s winding-up speech at the Umno general assembly in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday.
Furthermore, Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg had also repeatedly stressed that he would continue the legacy of the late former chief minister, Pehin Sri Tan Sri Adenan Satem, in fighting for the rights of Sarawak, Fadillah pointed out.
“We ought to focus on what has been agreed and find a solution towards how we are going to move forward so that Sarawak, even though is fighting for its rights, will still remain in Malaysia,” he told reporters when met after officiating the ‘Kami Pengguna Bijak’ (We are Smart Consumers’) Programme at PBB Samariang Constituency Service Centre here yesterday.
The Petra Jaya MP was asked to comment on Najib’s recent statements concerning the restoration of rights of Sarawak and Sabah according to MA63.
According to him, two negotiations on MA63 have since been conducted, of which the negotiation concerning administration has been completed. However, he noted that ongoing negotiations that are rather complicated concerned legal provisions including constitutional provision, where parts of Sarawak’s rights have been eroded.
“These negotiations need to be detailed…but what is required is that what was included in the Agreement must be returned to Sarawak,” he said.
Meanwhile, State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Speaker Datuk Amar Awang Asfia Awang Nassar said members of the Sarawak Barisan Nasional component parties were united in the fight for restoration of the state’s rights as accorded in MA63 and the Chief Minister had explained his stand on the matter.
“Any further elaboration may complicate and confuse the issue, we stand by what the CM had categorically said and we stand by what the dewan (Assembly) had passed by way of motion. No further comment,” said Asfia to reporters after the handing of financial assistance to the committee of various mosques and surau at Masjid Darul Hana yesterday.
Asfia was referring to the Ministerial Motion on MA63 and matters related thereafter, which was moved by Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas at the last DUN sitting and seconded by Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Masing.
With the approval of the motion at DUN, the state government is given the mandate to form a high level special task force to negotiate with the federal government to resolve all outstanding issues relating to MA63.
When asked to comment on Dewan Rakyat speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin’s view regarding the MA63, Asfia said Abang Johari had made his view and stand very clear.
“What he (Abang Johari) said is based on facts, history, constitution and law. It is not based on emotion, so we stand by that,” said Asfia, who is also PBB permanent chairman.
The programme yesterday saw Asfia handing out Minor Rural Project (MRP) grants totalling RM255,000 to 38 mosques and surau.
Also present were Assistant Minister of Rural Electricity Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi and Demak Laut assemblyman Dr Hazland Hipni.