By Nur Ashikin Louis
KUCHING, July 11: No changes can be made to the existing Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) because it will change the foundation that led to the formation of the country, says Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali.
The Sarawak Deputy Minister for Law, MA63 and State-Federal Relations was commenting on a suggestion by Barisan Nasional (BN) deputy chairman Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan during a function in Sabah on July 2 that BN Sabah leadership propose a New Malaysia Agreement in realising Sabah’s rights and demands enshrined under MA63.
“Essentially, the MA63 is the foundation in the formation of Malaysia and it cannot be changed, amended, reviewed or renewed.
“All these shouldn’t be allowed because changing the conditions and matters agreed upon as well as annexure under MA63 will change the foundation of Malaysia,” she told reporters after officiating at a ceremony to distribute korban meat to her constituents at Samariang Service Centre here today.
Sharifah Hasidah who is also the Samariang assemblywoman further said that Sarawak is only fighting for its rights as enshrined under MA63, no more, no less.
“Whatever matters related to the rights of Sarawak which have not been implemented as agreed under MA63, Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC) Report and Federal Constitution, we will continue to fight for those matters to be done,” she added.
She noted that among the matters pursued by Sarawak included having a representative from Sarawak to sit on the Inland Revenue Board (IRB) Board of Directors to facilitate the provision of the annual special grant under Article 112D of the Federal Constitution.
She also said that the Sarawak government wants to make amendments relating to administration and the judiciary system as well as to increase number of its parliamentary seats in line with MA63.
“These ongoing efforts to regain Sarawak’s rights will take a lot of time but we will continue the fight,” she emphasised. — DayakDaily
