KUCHING: The Sarawak government has been urged to continue pressing for the return of the state’s eroded rights.
Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said the restoration of Sarawak’s rights enshrined under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) is a matter close to his heart.
“Therefore, matters that are yet to be implemented as promised in the MA63 must also be promptly executed in accordance with the agreement, the Federal Constitution, and the law,” he said in his opening address at the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting here today.
Wan Junaidi said he appreciated the commitment of the federal government under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s leadership who established the MA63 Implementation Action Council and the Technical Committee as platforms to discuss Sarawak’s demands.
“I am confident that with the close cooperation and closeness between the Sarawak and federal governments, all of Sarawak’s rights and demands under MA63 can be realised,” he said.
He said the efforts to continue the socio-economic and infrastructural development in Sarawak require sustained commitment from the federal government, particularly in aspects of education, health, security, border development, and the main road network.
“I commend the Sarawak government’s high commitment to provide quality education and health services for its people.
“I am pleased that the federal government has agreed with the Sarawak government’s approach to initiate and finance education and health projects upfront, to be reimbursed by the federal government later.
“Through this approach, the development of education and health facilities in Sarawak can be accelerated,” he added.
On border security development, Wan Junaidi said it is also among the matters that require attention from the federal government.
“This includes the construction and upgrading of Immigration, Customs, Quarantine, and Security (ICQS) facilities as well as border control posts between Sarawak and Brunei Darussalam and Kalimantan, Indonesia.
“These facilities are crucial to ensure national security and facilitate the control of goods and visitors to optimise cross-border economic activities,” he said.
Sarawak, he said, also requires support and allocations from the federal government for infrastructure construction such as the main road network, flood mitigation projects, river and coastal erosion control, as well as telecommunication facilities, water, and electricity supply.
“I hope that the federal government will remain committed to implementing basic infrastructure development projects in Sarawak to ensure the wellbeing of the people and to be a catalyst for socio-economic development,” said Wan Junaidi.
