CM Johari to announce return of Sarawak’s rights on Tuesday

SIBU: Sarawak Chief Minister Abang Johari Tun Openg will make an announcement on the return of the state’s rights by the federal government under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA 1963) and Federal Constitution on March 6.

He said the announcement would be made in Kuching but did not state specifically the location nor the time.

“Prime Minister Najib Razak has stated he will return the state’s rights, which had been eroded or taken from what was agreed in MA63 and our constitution, and so he has agreed.

“I will announce the rights that will be returned to us and become Sarawak’s rights. I am courageous to do all these because only we can determine our own future,” he said when speaking at the Unity Night in conjunction with the Chap Goh Meh celebration here last night.

He said there was a need for a policy to protect the interests of all the people in the state and only Sarawak-based parties – Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS),  Progressive Democratic Party (PDP), Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) as well as United People’s Party (UPP) – are the channels to determine the fate and future of Sarawak.

Hence, he reiterated his call for SUPP and its splinter party, UPP to unite to safeguard the interests of the Chinese community in the state, whether at the state assembly or parliamentary level.

He said at the five Chinese New Year celebration functions that he attended in the state, the Sarawak Chinese community had asked him to unite SUPP and UPP.

“I will try but it is up to the Chinese community and political leaders (Chinese) to consider the importance of their community,” he said.

As chief minister, Abang Johari said he needed a solid team, to administer and develop Sarawak, which has a bright future while  the participation of the Chinese community was needed in the state’s economic and infrastructure development.

Also present at the event were Second Finance Minister and UPP president Wong Soon Koh as well Local Government and Housing Minister and SUPP president Dr Sim Kui Hian. -FMT