MIRI: The proposal to amend Article 1 (2) of the Federal Constitution to restore Sabah and Sarawak’s status as equal partners under one nation means a lot to people of both states.
Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) Pujut branch chairman Bruce Chai viewed the proposal as a move forward and a giant leap towards the realisation of the implementation of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
“This is truly great news and progress in the discussion on Malaysia Agreement between the federal, Sabah and Sarawak governments.”
Chai said this yesterday when commenting on the announcement by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Liew Vui Keong that the federal cabinet agreed to table the proposal to amend Article 1 (2) of the Federal Constitution to restore Sabah and Sarawak’s status as equal partners at the upcoming parliamentary session.
Bruce Chai
Chai however added that was the only information we had.
“We don’t know how it is going to be implemented because there is very little details on the proposed amendment to the article.
“What is most important is that Sabah and Sarawak should get back what rightfully belong to them as enshrined in MA63..
“The return of rights is the utmost importance but the proposed amendment only involved one article and there are still many other Sarawak rights which have been eroded over the years.
“Thus, many things need to be done to get back what lawfully belong to the state based on the MA63,” Chai stressed.
Meanwhile, Telang Usan assemblyman Dennis Ngau thanked the federal government under the leadership of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad for the latest good news.
“While we happy to receive the encouraging news, Sarawakians must not forget the contribution of the previous government especially former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak for agreeing to our former Chief Minister the late Tok Nan’s request for all Sarawak rights under MA63 to be reinstated.
“Our current Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg is continuing the efforts by Tok Nan to fight for the return of our rights.”
Dennis (left) during a visit to one of the houses in his constituency.
Dennis who is also Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Telang Usan branch chairman pointed out that state leaders are on a strong footing to demand what rightly belong to Sarawak be reinstated.
“We Sarawakians must realise that it is of paramount importance Sarawak be managed and led totally by Sarawak-based party, free from having to refer to Kuala Lumpur for any kind of decision.
Dennis said MA63 is the cornerstone in Malaysian history, without which there would be no Malaysia.
“Our leaders those day including the paramount chief of the Orang Ulu community former Temenggong Datuk Lawai Jau agreed to the formation of Malaysia based on the agreements.
“We do not want to point fingers as to why some aspects of the agreements were eroded or ignored or overlooked over the years because during that time the people might be too occupied in their quest to improve their livelihood and coupled with lack of modern communications like what we have today.
“My hope is that with the promise to restore equal right to the three regions, it will be implemented soon and the federal government’s decision to restore equal status is not just lip service to please Sarawakians.”
As the people’s representative for Telang Usan constituency where basic infrastructures and amenities are still much lacking compared with Peninsular Malaysia, he said the real deal is for Sarawak to be given back all her lost revenue which was taken by the federal government since the formation of Malaysia.
“This fund will enable rural areas in Sarawak like Baram to have the ‘catch up’ fund to implement development plans especially involving roads, amenities and its economy.