KUCHING: The recent signing of the Political Transformation and Stability memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the federal government and opposition must be able to strengthen efforts and negotiations on matters relating to Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
Sarawak Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said there were things not implemented in accordance with the Constitution and MA63 in the last 58 years, which should be brought to the negotiating table as a Keluarga Malaysia (Malaysian family).
"We have been in talks with the federal government since 2015 regarding matters and rights listed under MA63, which had been eroded over the decades (that should be returned to us)."
"Hence, I sincerely hope the signing of the MoU will allow us to negotiate further and lead to a win-win outcome for Sarawak as well as the federal government," he said.
"Our existence as a nation of three territories, namely Sarawak, Sabah and Peninsular Malaysia should be based on the spirit of respect while recognising the rights and privileges enshrined in MA63."
Abang Johari was speaking at the state-level Malaysia Day celebration held at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) complex here last night (Sept 16). The event was held on a small scale due to the current Covid-19 situation, especially in the southern zone, limiting it to 100 people only. Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Sarawak, Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud and his wife Toh Puan Ragad Kurdi Taib were among those who attended.
The Chief Minister said considerable achievements have been made to reinstate state powers which had been eroded over the years back to the state or accord empowerment to the state in certain areas.
These include the increase in the number of posts in the Sarawak Immigration Department and the ratio of state-born teachers serving in Sarawak to about 90% of the total number of teachers in the state.
Apart from that, the federal government has granted the exemption to liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) distributors from applying for permits and licensing in Sarawak and the signing of the commercial settlement agreement (CSA) between the Sarawak government and Petronas, which allowed Sarawak regulatory power to manage oil and gas resources within its boundaries.
As the head of the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government, Abang Johari assured that they will continue to restore any eroded Sarawak rights through negotiations with the federal government.
"I thank the leadership of the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob who continues to show the federal government's concern for the aspirations of the people in Sarawak," he said.