By Nancy Nais
KUCHING, Oct 28: Sarawak Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman Chong Chieng Jen today urged Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg to have more courage in facing the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) Steering Committee.
Abang Johari is one of the members in the committee. Others representing the state are Works Minister Baru Bian, Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak Datuk David Wong Dak Wah and Sarawak Attorney-General Datuk Talat Mahmood Abdul Rashid.
“The ball is in his court to make demands for the benefit of Sarawak. I urged him to fight for Sarawakians during the reviews of MA63. He can be assured that he has the full backing of fellow Sarawakians,” Chong told a press conference today.
In response to the call by Abang Johari for more representation from Sabah and Sarawak as panel members, Chong opined that the government had taken into consideration the requirements and needs with regards to issues surrounding MA63 before deciding on the composition of the committee.
Chong said there are eight representatives from East Malaysia and eight from West Malaysia, which is a fair number.
“The numbers are not important. Is Abang Johari telling us he is not confident in facing Dr Mahathir because of the number of representatives?
“What matters most is whether Abang Johari can articulate the demands of Sarawak in the face of Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad. So, Abang Johari must prove his courage in the committee and not just act with courage in Sarawak,” he said.
The Steering Committee was recently formed to look into restoring the rights of Sabah and Sarawak as enshrined in the MA63.
Those representing Sabah are Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Liew Vui Keong, International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Darell Leiking and Sabah Attorney-General Zaleha Rose Pandin. — DayakDaily
