By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Dec 25: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg will meet with the Sarawak Consultative Committee on Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) before revealing details of the first special cabinet steering committee meeting, which was held in Putrajaya on Dec 17.
“It was a good meeting chaired by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad. We have submitted our position in MA63,” he told reporters.
Abang Johari was met during the Christmas Open House visit to Roman Catholic Archbishop Simon Poh of the Archdiocese of Kuching at the Archdiocesan Curia and Cathedral Pastoral Centre (ACCPC) here today.
“I promise I will give you the details after the meeting of (Sarawak) Consultative Committee on Jan 3,” he assured.
When prodded to elaborate on the MA63 maiden meeting, Abang Johari shared that various important issues were discussed.
“There are some issues that are negotiable and non-negotiable.
“For instance, 112D pertaining to finance is negotiable. But I’ll give the details after I’ve met the consultative committee on Jan 3. I promise,” he reiterated.
According to Bernama, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Liew Vui Keong had, in a statement on Dec 17, revealed that among the issues brought up were a proposal to restore autonomy to the governments of Sabah and Sarawak in matters such as finance, oil exploration, mining and gas, legislation, land and revenue from land, federal and state works, maritime and fisheries, human resources and state public services.
Apart from that, he said that amendments to Article 1(2) of the Federal Constitution to restore the clauses that existed prior to 1976 were also discussed.
Liew added that this was the firm basis to strengthen the relationship between Sabah, Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia in line with what was contained in the constitution, MA63 and Chapter 3, Annexes A and B of the Report of the Inter-Governmental Committee, 1962.
The Special Cabinet Steering Committee is expected to meet every two months and has been given six months from Dec 17 to come up with a final report. — DayakDaily
