Sarawak wants tripartite committee

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Abang Johari says committee set up to oversee the fulfillment of MA63 lopsided, should be based on IGC

Abang Johari (centre), with Wong (right) and Sarbjit at the gala dinner. — Photo by Chimon Upon

KUCHING: The Special Cabinet Committee set up by the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government to oversee the enforcement of Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) is lopsided, says Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg.

He said the composition of the committee must be based on the Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC) with equal representation from Sabah and Sarawak.

“This is because Sabah and Sarawak have been equal partners during the formation of Malaysia, so the committee must have equal number from Sabah, Sarawak and the federal government,” he said at the Advocates Assocation of Sarawak (AAS) Kuching branch’s gala dinner here on Friday.

Abang Johari said the Sarawak government had informed the federal government of ‘our concern and desire to discuss based on the IGC’.

“We hope to deliberate the MA63 in a friendly manner,” he added.

Met by journalists later at the dinner, Assistant Minister of Law, State-Federal Relations and Project Monitoring Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed said the Sarawak government had written to the PH government following the announcement made by de-facto Law Minister Datuk Liew Vui Keong.

She, however, said the Sarawak government had not heard from the PH government since.

Earlier, AAS Kuching Branch chairman Sarbjit Singh Khaira said they are fully behind the Sarawak government in fighting for what is rightfully Sarawak’s enshrined in the MA63.

He pledged that they would fully endorse the Sarawak government’s endeavour to regain its rights and would render support without fear or favour.

Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak Datuk Seri David Wong Dak Wah was among those present.

Liew had on Oct 10 announced that the prime minister would lead the MA63 Special Cabinet Committee, formed to review and propose measures to rectify the status of Sabah and Sarawak.

The line-up of the committee comprises eight federal ministers and other members including Abang Johari and Chief Minister of Sabah Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal.

The eight ministers are Liew, Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng, Economic Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Azmin Ali, Communications and Multimedia Minister Gobind Singh Deo, Foreign Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah, Works Minister Baru Bian, International Trade and Industry Minister Darell Leiking, and Transport Minister Anthony Loke.

Of these ministers, only Baru and Darell are from Sarawak and Sabah, respectively.