MA63 ISSUE
KUCHING: Sarawak and Sabah’s rights – clearly stipulated in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and the Federal Constitution – should not take ages to be implemented.
Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) Women Chief Datuk Seri Doris Sophia Brodie, commenting on Sabah Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR) president Jeffrey Kitingan’s remarks that the MA63 Special Cabinet Steering Committee’s meeting was a farce, questioned the need for further negotiations.
“Just return to us our eroded rights,” she stressed.
“There have been too many U-turns and empty promises since Pakatan Harapan (PH) took over the federal government.
“Thus it is hard for us to trust and believe what they have said and promised now,” she said.
“Delay in the implementation of the state’ rights will further arouse anti-federal government feelings among Sarawakians and Sabahans,” she cautioned.
Doris said as such, the perception that the setting up of the Special Cabinet Committee for Review and Implementation of the MA63 is a farce was widespread in East Malaysia.
Meanwhile, Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) Women chief Datuk Chiew Yen Chew said she believed Sarawak leaders were still and actively in the midst of negotiating.
She said Sarawak could use its right under Article 8 to reclaim its rights under MA63. “We should therefore win the battle for our oil and gas.”
She said Malaysia’s oil and gas resources were vested in Petronas under the Petroleum Development Act, and Sabah and Sarawak produced about 60 percent of Malaysia’s total petroleum output.
“Therefore, I believe Sarawak should seek control of Petronas and I cannot disagree with Kitingan that Sabah and Sarawak should be owning majority shares in Petronas,” she pointed out.
“It’s ludicrous that instead of returning oil and gas ownership rights to Sarawak, the Prime Minister is now singing a different tune, suggesting to sell stakes in Petronas to the Bornean states,” she said.
