Immigration among non-negotiable issues: Sarawak
Published on: Tuesday, November 27, 2018
Kuching: The Sarawak Consultative Committee on the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) said the State's powers in some matters such as on immigration were non-negotiable.The committee's chairman, Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar, who is also Sarawak Speaker, said the State's territorial integrity, continental shelf, seabed and subsoil are also non-negotiable."These issues and several more are not going to be raised during the steering committee meeting (on MA63). There is a red line there and even if they raise it in the steering committee, we will say no," Asfia told reporters after chairing the committee's first meeting Monday.
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He said State powers on immigration were needed to stop the flood of immigrants.The committee's recommendations would be submitted to Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg, who will lead a delegation to the steering committee meeting chaired by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad on Dec 17.Both Abang Johari and the State Attorney-General Datuk Talat Mahmood Abdul Rashid sit on the steering committee.Asfia said Sarawak must make a strong stand speaking with one voice for Sarawak.
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The committee was formed under Standing Order 89 of the Standing Orders of the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly and Article 24(1) of the Constitution of the State of Sarawak through a motion tabled in the assembly on Nov 6 this year.The committee has 13 other members who are representatives from Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), DAP and PKR.
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