By Lian Cheng
KUCHING, Nov 6: Even on his deathbed, the late Pehin Sri Adenan Satem (affectionately known as `Tok Nan’) was concerned about the rights of Sarawak, the State Legislative Assembly heard today.
According to his widow, Datuk Amar Jamilah Anu (PBB-Tanjung Datu), at 11am on Jan 11 last year, two hours before he passed away, Adenan still asked about Sarawak’s rights.
“What did MP of Bandar Kuching say in Parliament today? About English and devolution of power on education?” Jamilah quoted Adenan.
She said this showed that Tok Nan was truly committed in wanting to reclaim all the lost rights of Sarawak.
“Love Sarawak, and only if you love Sarawak, you care for Sarawak, and you (will) protect Sarawak,” said Jamilah, quoting Tok Nan.
The first-time assemblywoman, thus, called on all state lawmakers from both political fences to support Minister of Tourism, Art, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah’s motion that a consultative committee on the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), comprising members from all political parties, be set up.
“We must carry out this mandate by the people as trustees of our `rakyat’, regardless of whether you are in the government or opposition.
“This motion is timely and appropriate to allow Chief Minister (Datuk Patinggi) Abang Johari (Tun Openg) to bring up to the Joint Committee the findings of this consultation committee, which comprises the voices of all Sarawakians,” she said when debating on the motion tabled by Abdul Karim.
As the MA63 was negotiated and agreed between equal partners, namely the United Kingdom, Federated Malay States, Singapore, Sabah and Sarawak, Jamilah asserted that the Joint Committee suggested by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad be modelled after the Inter-Governmental Committee Report, where all parties had the same number of representatives.
“Any negotiations or review of MA63 must be mandated by this august House, which is the voice of the rakyat of Sarawak, as all honourable members are duly elected by the rakyat of Sarawak to represent them.
“Any person or entity who is not mandated by this august House has no legal standing to represent Sarawak in any negotiation or review of MA63,” she stressed.— DayakDaily
