There is no need to play sentiments on the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) .

I thank our media friend, Kadir Dikoh from Utusan Sarawak (a local newspapers) who has written an interesting article on the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) issue which had captured the attention, opinions and also criticisms including those by Datuk Zaid Ibrahim, a respected lawyer in our community.

However, I have chided and criticised him (Datuk Zaid) who stated that both Sarawak and Sabah had belonged to Malaysia, but the true fact is that the two regions together with Malaya and Singapore had jointly formed Malaysia in 1963.

As the Vice President of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), I have stated that for all these time our friends in the Peninsula are the ones who have benefited from all aspects of development in our country.

Do they feel that it is still lacking? If Datuk Zaid were to come and visit Sabah and Sarawak, he can see for himself how far behind both regions are in terms of infrastructure, in terms of roads, rural clinics and poor schools that are still aplenty to do.

Presently, the MA63 issue had became the talk of the town after Datuk Zaid in a video uploaded on his Facebook page recently had questioned on why the Unity Government had focused on Sarawak and Sabah, especially on the "income sharing" aspects when it was not implemented for the states in the peninsula.

He (Datuk Zaid) also suggested for the establishment of a special committee to look at the interests of the states in the peninsula, in an effort to also resolve the problems of Sabah and Sarawak.

It is believed that Datuk Zaid was referring to the recent announcement by the Right Honourable Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim regarding the special allocation given to Sarawak based on Article 112D of the Federal Constitution, now increased to RM300 million per year as compared to the RM16 million previously announced.

According to the Prime Minister, the amount was allocated as an initial step to settle claims in accordance with Article 112D before the formula is detailed and simplified again so that it can continue to be used, to ensure that Sarawak and Sabah get the appropriate allocations in the future.

Sarawak has been independent for 60 years but the development progress is not equal when compared to Peninsular Malaysia. I insisted on matters like these that need to be looked into and taken care of so as not to continue to fall behind. I believe Datuk Seri Anwar as a leader who has gone through many trials in his political career can understand and feel what the people in the Peninsula and Sabah, Sarawak want.

Datuk Zaid had also disputed the Sabah Chief Minister's rejection of the enforcement of the Regional Sea Act 2012 (Act 750) which limits the state's maritime boundaries to only three nautical miles (5.5 kilometers) from the coastline.

According to him, Kelantan cannot ask for oil royalties because the Federal Government sees the state is only entitled to any natural resources found in the three nautical mile waters. For such  issue, I opined Datuk Zaid cannot compare how people feel in Kelantan, Selangor or other states in the peninsula because the MA63 agreement was not signed by the states involved.

Instead it was signed by the representatives of Malaya, Singapore, Sabah and Sarawak. That is why if we look at the Malaysian Constitution, there is an advantage to the rights of Sabah and Sarawak when compared to other states. Therefore, this matter does not need to be raised when Sabah and Sarawak had applied for more than 200 nautical miles whereas Kelantan has got only three nautical miles.

This is because if we look at the entire region of Malaya that there is one Central Government that takes care of the states at that time. For Sabah and Sarawak, we also have their own governments. Datuk Zaid as a lawyer should be more knowledgeable about all these things.

Datuk Zaid also spoke on getting a "fair deal". Let me ask him... have Sarawak and Sabah been given justice over the years? After achieving independence 60 years ago, were we given the fair treatment?. Datuk Zaid needs to come to Sarawak and Sabah himself...go visit the rural areas, see schools, roads, rural clinics and so on. Why are all these infrastructure facilities in Sabah, Sarawak so difficult, so poor when compared to what we can see in Malaya?

Where is the "fair deal" that Datuk Zaid is talking about here? When Anwar Ibrahim's government had recently granted RM1 billion to upgrade the border area so that it would not be penetrated by potential invaders, did he (Datuk Zaid) jump to say that the (central) government is focusing too much on Sabah and Sarawak?. I expressed hope for the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to look and take care of this.  To Datuk Zaid, don't be a hero. You failed in your political career. There is no need to play this kind of sentiment.

Echoing the views by His Right Honourable Premier of Sarawak on Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63)

We echo the Right Honourable Premier of Sarawak's stand on the continuous efforts in regaining the rights of Sarawak as stipulated under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) that will continue to be the priority in year 2023.

Sarawak's Premier, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Abang Haji Openg had also mentioned that our Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government remains committed in bringing development in Sarawak to greater heights, especially as the year 2023 marks the 60th anniversary of the formation of Malaysia.

These were mentioned these in his speech when officiating the recent New Year Countdown function held on December 31 at Sarawak Indoor Stadium in Petra Jaya, Kuching. According to the Premier, it is our wish for our rights under the MA63 to be honoured as we achieved 60 years of independence anniversary in 2023. There are some rights listed in the agreement which are non-negotiable.

He had also pointed out that Sarawak’s rights under the MA63 that are non-negotiable are matters related to the state’s land boundaries and continental shelf, as well as immigration autonomy. These are the issues that cannot be negotiated and they are the rights of Sarawak. We will defend it.

Our Premier had also stressed Sarawak's government will continue to promote green economy to drive economic activities in the state, including targeting to produce 100,000 tonnes of hydrogen for the export market by 2025 and the carbon storage initiative. Abang Johari also expressed gratitude to all front liners who were instrumental in the state’s efforts to bring down the number of Covid-19 cases drastically over the past years.

He said Sarawak hs now gradually recovering from the effects of the pandemic and economic activities were now reopened and revitalised. According to him, despite the Covid-19 situation, we see that Sarawak continues to prosper where communities comprising various cultures and religions can live harmoniously together. Sarawak is without a doubt the most stable state in the country. In addition to that, there has been organised development happening throughout the state, particularly infrastructure development on building better connectivity that includes the Pan Borneo Highway and coastal roads.

Our Premier said we also seek to ensure electricity and water supplies in rural areas by adopting new strategy via the usage of modern technologies to bring development to rural areas. To better serve the different needs of the communities across the state, the premier said numerous regional agencies have been set up to prioritise development for neglected community groups deep in the interior.

Through his leadership, Sarawak had also established the state first-ever sovereign wealth fund this year, which financial allocation will be channelled to the fund as savings for the future generations of Sarawak. Nonetheless, our Premier expressed hopes for the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030 masterplan will serve as a reference for the state to achieve prosperity and advancement by 2030.

He said the confidence and support placed by Sarawakians on the GPS government during the last elections had strengthen the coalition’s position in the federal government, with five federal ministers and six deputy ministers appointed from GPS.

Wrapping Year 2022 on a high note and looking forward to New Year 2023 on a flourish

Kudos to all of our business events industry players who had helped to wrap up 2022 on a high note after securing 100 business events for 2023 and beyond. The number of events had exceeding the initial target of 90 with an achievement rate of 111 per cent. Congratulations to the hard working people at Business Events Sarawak (BE Sarawak) who had strived in securing the100 business events which were valued at RM359 million in total economic impact. The approximate direct delegate expenditure will account for about RM195 million and tax revenue at RM21.5 million.

These events are expected to open approximately 28,496 new employment opportunities for the local communities in the destination. As for the number of business events hosted by Sarawak in year 2022, a total of  93 homegrown, national and international business events were successfully hosted worth a total economic impact of RM216.3 million.

The direct delegate expenditure accounted for RM117.6 million of income, tax revenue amounted to RM13 million, while the events opened at least 17,169 jobs. The Sarawak Government had established BE Sarawak in 2006 as a non-profit body to promote the state as a competitive destination for national and international business meetings, and helping non-governmental organisations, corporations, and government bodies to organise their events successfully. Together we are optimistic for Year 2023 to be another good year for our local business events industry players.

A New Year Countdown to remember

Our appreciation to His Right Honourable Premier of Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Zohari Tun Abang Haji Openg who had graced the 2023 New Year Countdown which was held at Sarawak Indoor Stadium in Petra Jaya Kuching on December 31.The event was also attended by 3,500 of our folks together with local dignitaries including wife to the Premier of Sarawak, Puan Sri Datuk Amar Juma'ani Tun Tuanku Bujang.

In my welcoming speech, I have mentioned on the special celebration activities will be held in 2023 to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Sarawak’s independence within Malaysia. The forthcoming celebration will officially be known as ‘Sarawak Day 2023’ and the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts (MTCP) will work closely with strategic partners to prepare for the celebration to make it more meaningful.

Although the official anniversary date for the state’s independence falls on July 22, the celebration activities next year (2023) will be held earlier. This will present the opportunity to Sarawakians across the state to join in the celebration and understand the importance of the historical date

Apart from hearing the speech by our Premier of Sarawak, the evening was filled with an interesting of cultural and singing performances by our talented local entertainers and evergreen singers who include Datuk Awie and Datuk Aishah. The highlight of the evening was the fireworks display which had also thrilled the crowds who gathered at the Celebrity Square of our Sarawak Sports Complex in Petra Jaya.

We were truly blessed because this year's new year countdown is being held like previously before the pandemic and it is was good to see our local folks enjoying themselves in the event which is a celebration for all of us after going through year 2022 in peace and harmony.