Rally in support of fight for Sarawak’s rights under MA63

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A section of the people who attended the peaceful MA63 solidarity gathering at Padang Merdeka.

KUCHING: More than 100 people took part in a rally at Padang Merdeka here yesterday in a show of support to fight for Sarawak’s rights as enshrined under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).

Tupong assemblyman Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman, former Padungan assemblyman Dominique Ng and Sarawak State Reform Party (STAR) representatives were among those present at the rally.

Fazzrudin told reporters that he joined the rally because he is an ‘anak Sarawak’ (loosely translated a son of Sarawak) and the gathering had received a police permit.

He, however, said he did not come in his capacity as a politician, an elected assemblyman or as Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Youth deputy chief.

“I turned up here as anak Sarawak to give my support to this peaceful and legal gathering to show our stand and seriousness to defend Sarawak’s rights under the MA63.

“This peaceful gathering shows that when it comes to protecting Sarawak’s rights, we go beyond political divide, race and religion,” he said.

The gathering was unique in a way – probably the first of its kind to have ever happened in Malaysia – where Christian, Buddhist and Islamic prayers were said to seek God’s grace and blessings for the event and Sarawakians at large.

Sarawak’s old and new state anthem ‘Fair Land Sarawak’ and ‘Ibu Pertiwiku’ were sung after those prayers.

Organised by a group calling themselves Kelab Kesetiaan Sarawak, the peaceful gathering aimed to emphasise the importance of defending and reclaiming Sarawak’s rights through the proper channels.

Among the activities held during the rally were speeches on issues related to MA63, followed by a pledge of solidarity on Sarawak’s rights under MA63.

Those present also collectively pledged: “With this we, Sarawakians, promise for the sake of Sarawakians and Beloved Sarawak will always be united in defending the Sarawak Constitution and the constitutional rights of Sarawak irrespective of our religious and ethnic backgrounds as long as the universe exists.”