Abdul Karim giving his winding up speech after 31 members of DUN debated on his ministerial motion for the the establishment of the Consultative Committee in the State Legislative Assembly today.
KUCHING: All members of the State Legislative Assembly including the opposition were unanimous today to support the establishment of a Consultative Committee to determine and agree upon the representations for submission to the Sarawak representatives of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) Steering Committee.
This was in response to the formation of MA63 Steering Committee on Sept 5 and chaired by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, which was described as being lopsided with only three representations from Sarawak.
Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah (PBB – Asajaya) moved the establishment of the Consultative Committee in his ministerial motion under Standing Order 23(1)(a) read together with Standing Order 89 and Article 24(1) of the State Constitution.
It was seconded by Assistant Minister of Corporate Affairs Abdullah Saidol (PBB – Semop).
Following the ‘historic’ unanimous support, Abdul Karim remarked that it was touching to see a historic number of 31 members who had participated in the debate in support of the motion.
He said he did not expect such response since the other members were not informed prior of the motion and those listed as members of the committee only knew they were included after the motion was tabled.
Earlier. when tabling the motion Abdul Karim said this Consultative Committee is to determine and agree upon the representations for submission to the Sarawak representatives of the MA63 Committee to advance and safeguard the special interests, rights and position of Sarawak as enshrined in MA63 and the Federal Constitution and to meet the expectations of Sarawakians for greater autonomy and devolution of powers to the State.
The composition of the Consultative Committee includes members from all political parties represented in the august House.
The Consultative Committee comprise DUN Speaker Datuk Amar Mohd Asfia Awang Nassar as the chairman, Abdul Karim, Minister of International Trade and E-Commerce and Second Finance Minister Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh, Assistant Minister of Law, State-Federal Relations and Project Monitoring Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali, Abdullah, Assistant Minister of Youth and Sports Datuk Snowdan Lawan, Dato Idris Buang (PBB – Muara Tuang), Dato Sebastian Ting (SUPP – Piasau), Dato Henry Harry Jinep (PDP – Tasik Biru), See Chee How (PKR – Batu Lintang), and Irene Chang (DAP – Bukit Assek).
Abdul Karim proposed that the tenure of this Committee be for a period up to the conclusion of the term or work of the MA63 Committee review or ‘until this august House otherwise decide.’
“I urge all members of this august House to support this Motion to send the strongest message possible that in the matter of the rights and interests of Sarawakians, the people of Sarawak firmly stand as one,” he said.
A total 31 members participated in the debate before the motion was put to vote by Mohd Asfia and received all round support from the members.
According to Abdul Karim again, he will deliberate later on suggestions to also include deputy speaker Dato Gerawat Gala, Ali Biju (PKR – Krian), Chiu Chin Sing (DAP – Tanjung Batu)