KUCHING: Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian clarified that the Sarawak government’s efforts to acquire its own bank and airline are not part of the demands under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) negotiations.
He said the procurement of Affin Bank shares and MASwings airline are commercial initiatives by the state government, as opposed to ‘MA63’ demands as alleged by certain parties in Malaya.
“Some people in West Malaysia think we are making demands, but we are actually paying and buying.
“This is a commercial transaction. Anyone with money can purchase Affin Bank. Sabah, Selangor, Johor — they all can buy if they wish. We are not stopping anyone,” he said.
He said this after officiating at the light-switching ceremony for the Gawai Dayak celebration at the Padungan Cat Statue last night (May 29).
Dr Sim, who is also Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government, added that the Sarawak government initially only requested licences to operate its own flight operations.
“We simply asked for a licence to run our own flights. But Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) decided that instead of just giving us a licence, we might as well buy over MASwings, which we are proceeding with the purchase.
“Therefore, I want the West Malaysians to understand that Sarawak is buying and paying for it. We are not getting it for free,” he said.
