MA63: Ability to demand more important
Published on: Monday, October 29, 2018
Kuching: The number of representatives from Sarawak appointed into the Steering Committee formed to restore the rights of Sabah and Sarawak as enshrined in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) is not important, instead their ability to put up their demands is important, said Pakatan Harapan Sarawak Chairman Chong Chieng Jen (pic). Chong, who is Deputy Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs, said Sarawak Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg should be more courageous in facing the Prime Minister."The ball is in his court to make his demands for Sarawak to review the MA63, to make demands for the benefit of Sarawak and its people," said Chong at a media conference here Sunday.
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Chong, who is also DAP Sarawak Chairman, said the State Government needed to set their terms of reference and agendas for the technical committee to look into.He added that the State Government had the full backing of Sarawakians on the MA63 issue.The Sarawak Chief Minister had expressed his concern over the lack of balance in the composition of members sitting in the committee.He reckoned that the majority of members in the committee should be from Sabah and Sarawak since they were well versed and understood better the wellbeing of the people in East Malaysia.
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At the moment, only eight representatives – five from Sabah and three from Sarawak - are in the steering committee as compared to eight from Peninsular Malaysia.The committee was initiated by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohammad to realise provisions enshrined in MA63, and who was appointed as the chairman of the committee.
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The committee members are Economic Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali, Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng, Communications and Multimedia Minister Gobind Singh Deo, Transport Minister Anthony Loke and Foreign Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah.Leaders from Sabah and Sarawak appointed into the committee included Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Liew Vui Keong, Works Minister Baru Bian, International Trade and Industry Minister Darell Leiking, Abang Johari and Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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