KUCHING, Dec 2: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said the state government will continue to fight for its rights which has been eroding, through democratic means such as peaceful negotiations, while taking a swipe at a debate challenge directed to him.
Speaking during the opening of the Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Kuching Zone Delegates’ Meeting here today, he told some 2,000 delegates from eight state constituencies (Opar, Tasik Biru, Tanjong Datu, Pantai Damai, Demak Laut, Tupong, Semariang and Satok) that only a fool would resort to an argument or debate, which could end up dooming the negotiations for failure.
“Not like a certain person (who thinks the Malaysia Agreement 1963 did not matter). That is up to him if he wants his rights back or not, but we Sarawak if we can negotiate, we negotiate peacefully.
“Why does this person want to interfere? I will not entertain his debate challenge. So childish. A fool (paloi),” Abang Johari said. Although he did not mention any names, it is understood he was talking about Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia.
On Nov 27, Pandikar Amin posed a debate challenge to Abang Johari after both had conflicting opinions on the importance of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63). Pandikar Amin said the agreement was not important while Abang Johari begged to differ.
Following that, Pandikar Amin drew a lot of flak particularly from Sarawak’s BN component parties including Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) and PBB.
Meanwhile, Abang Johari stressed that the state government will continue to defend the state’s rights by means of peaceful negotiations with the federal government to ensure that the state’s rights would be rightfully restored, and Sarawakians get what they deserved.
He reminded the delegates that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak was more than willing to negotiate with the state government regarding its rights according to the MA63 agreement, and there was no need to resort to childish behaviour challenging people for debates.
“Because we are peaceful people and we have pride,” added Abang Johari. — DayakDaily
