KUCHING: The preliminary agreement of the Special Council on the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) for Sarawak and Sabah to hold 35 percent of parliamentary seats is a significant progress.
Deputy Premier Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian said this will protect Sarawak and Sabah’s rights as enshrined in the MA63.
He pointed out that it is also to safeguard against any unilateral changes to the Federal Constitutions by Peninsular Malaysia parties that could be unfavourable against Sarawak and Sabah’s interests.
He said the preliminary agreement was a result of follow through from MA63 and the Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC) now being formally annexed to be included in the federal constitution through a constitutional amendment.
Dr Sim said the amendment was tabled by fellow Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) MP and de facto Law Minister Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar in Parliament last year.
“This is a topic which I have spoken about in the senate when I was a senator from 2016 to 2018.
“Even though there has been some progress made, we will continue to fight such as on our health and education autonomy among others.
“Sarawakians would like to restore all of our rights by taking into account the spirit of MA63 and IGC that have been eroded over the years,” he said.
He was speaking to reporters after the Lantern of Unity ceremony organised by SUPP Central Women Section and SUPP Southern Zone Women Section at Kuching South City Council (MBKS) Garden Kuching Park Garden last night.
While the committee had decided to endorse the preliminary agreement, Dr Sim stated that the next step is getting it passed in the federal cabinet and Parliament Malaysia.
“If the Peninsular Malaysia parties really respect the spirit of formation of Malaysia and MA63 as stated in the IGC, they should support us and make sure it is passed in Parliament,” he said.
He also thanked Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri and his cabinet for willing to make progress.
“This is unlike during the Pakatan Harapan (PH) time which took us to court to stop Sarawak from getting our rights,” he said.
