KUCHING: The recent announcement that Putrajaya will set up a high-level committee to negotiate with Sarawak on outstanding issues regarding the state’s rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) should augur well for Sarawak.
Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said it should serve as a platform for the state’s high-level committee headed by the three Deputy Chief Ministers to carry out negotiations with the federal government.
“The Prime Minister has said that a high-level committee will be set up to negotiate with the state on our rights that were eroded over the years. It is an ongoing process,” he said at a press conference here yesterday.
Abdul Karim, who is one of the newly-elected Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) vice presidents, said all party branches had supported a motion on MA63 during the 14th PBB Convention.
He felt that this had pressured the party leadership to do all it can to reclaim the state’s rights that were eroded in the last 50 or so years.
“It is a challenge to the party leadership because Sarawakians everywhere are concerned about this. It is the fundamental task of the state government to get back our rights,” he said.
On the 14th PBB Convention, Abdul Karim said it was unique, given that this marked the first time Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg led all delegates and members in a convention.
He was glad to note that the party had reached a certain level of consensus, with Abang Johari continuing to lead PBB.
“Having reached consensus is also a democratic process. We do not want to see any split within the party in view of the coming general election. And PBB must remain united to face the election,” he pointed out.
He said PBB would collaborate with other Barisan Nasional component parties to deliver as many seats as possible in the next election.
Abdul Karim thanked PBB delegates for putting their trust in him.
“I’m glad that our delegates voted for me. To me, winning by a vote or by 100 votes, is still a victory,” he concluded. -TheBorneoPost
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