Masing (third left) presents a souvenir to Fox while others look on.
KUCHING: Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Masing is impressed with the Maoris of New Zealand for their success in fighting for and getting their fishing rights, courtesy of the country’s administration.
Masing, who is also Minister of Infrastructure Development and Transportation, said he learned a thing or two on this from the country’s deputy chief judge Caren Fox who came for a visit to his residence here yesterday.
“She (Fox) visited me at 11.30am along with staff from New Zealand High Commission in Kuala Lumpur comprising deputy High Commissioner Gareth Pidgeon and Policy and Public Advisor Cameron Evans. We exchanged views on Maori land rights and laws. We also sought her view on Maori fishing rights in New Zealand,” said Masing.
Masing (second right) presents a souvenir to Kennedy.
Masing said he has invited Fox to come over and give a talk to all Dayak NGOs here.
“I am more keen to know how the Maoris obtained their fishing rights so that our coastal communities like the Malays and Melanaus can reclaim their fishing rights. I was tasked by the late Tok Nan in 2015 to
visit New Zealand for this purpose, which is fishing rights,” he said.
“Unlike the Maoris, the Malays and Melanaus do not have fishing rights in the seas surrounding their villages. Other people can’t fish in seas assigned to the Maoris,” he said.
Joining Masing to welcome Fox were the newly appointed advisor to the Chief Minister Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi who is also Kapit MP, Deputy State Secretary Datu Jaul Sameon and Masing’s close aide Datuk Wilfred Nissom.
Fox, from the Ngati Porou tribe of New Zealand, was appointed to the Maori Land Court prior to her current appointment as deputy chief judge.
Masing also received courtesy call from Malaysia’s Ambassador to Japan Dato Kennedy Jawan and Malaysian High Commissioner to Brunei Ismail Salam at his residence here. Accompanying them was Deddy Faisal Ahmad Salleh the director of Ministry of Foreign Affairs Sarawak Regional Office.
Masing also received a courtesy call from Austrian Ambassador to Malaysia Dr Michael Postl who was accompanied by Austrian businessman Rich Auberbucher and Swiss businessman Andre Matta.
Joining Masing to welcome them were Assistant Minister of Industries and Investment Malcolm Mussen and businessman Datuk Abdul Rahman Lariwoo.