KUCHING: The Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) will be looked into as a package, and not on a piecemeal basis.
This was emphasised by de facto Law Minister Datuk Liew Vui Keong after paying a courtesy call on Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg at the latter’s office in Wisma Bapa Malaysia here yesterday.
Liew described the meeting as fruitful and disclosed that they discussed various issues close to the hearts of Sarawakians.
“We agreed to look into the various issues brought up by Abang Johari and matters concerning MA63. The chief minister has been very passionate about it and he wants to ensure that the rights of not only Sarawakians but also Sabahans, are well preserved pursuant to the MA63.”
When asked about the possibility of more amendments, Liew said everyone would have to wait and see the decision on the motion at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting.
He said he was looking forward to the sitting because the assembly was the voice of Sarawakians through their elected representatives.
Liew also expressed his happiness on the desire of Sarawakians wanting to restore that which had been agreed upon in MA63.
Amidst that, he stressed that all historical facts remained the same as what had been agreed upon pursuant to MA63.
“The facts in MA63 cannot be altered or changed so I don’t think there will be disagreement on that. Perhaps there are (disagreements) subject to certain provisions due to different interpretation but at the end of the day, we have to leave that matter to some constitutional lawyers to look into.
“Of course the public also made some comments on this and that, but the interpretation from the perspective of constitution lawyers is what’s important,” he said.
On the courtesy call, Liew revealed that among the issues raised were the relocation of the High Court Registry of Sabah and Sarawak from Kuching to Kota Kinabalu and the extension of the Legal Profession Act 1976 (LPA76), which they had to deal separately because they were not inter-related.
“With regard to the relocation of the High Court Registry of Sabah and Sarawak, I explained to Abang Johari that I only came to know about it in the media. I quickly called up the court registrar and I was informed that it was the decision of former Chief Judge (Justice Tan Sri Richard Malanjum) and Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak (Justice Datuk David Wong Dak Wah) to look into the possibility of relocating the registry.
“Having looked into all that, the court registrar decided they will not implement the relocation at this moment. That was the decision.
“I think Abang Johari has made a strong objection to the fact that there was no consultation made. So, I think that was received by me and I took into consideration of all that,” he explained.
Liew further mentioned that he would brief Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad but stressed that the visit was his own initiative.
Also present were Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, State Attorney-General Datuk Talat Mahmood Abdul Rashid and Liew’s political secretary Martin Tommy.
