KUCHING, Feb 14: Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) is keen to form a joint working committee with Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) to pursue the rights of Sabah and Sarawak according to the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
PBS president Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili, in a statement today, said he met Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg at the latter’s office at Wisma Bapa Malaysia this morning.
They touched on several key issues concerning both states as well as discussed future joint efforts by finding common interests, especially in defending the rights of both states and its people as contained in the MA63.
“We (PBS) are here to strengthen our networking with GPS by exploring and discussing common grounds to pursue ongoing efforts in collaboration and cooperative arrangements as enshrined in the MA63,” said Ongkili.
He added: “A working committee will also be formed between PBS and GPS to review the ground status of MA63, including its historical aspects as well as the implementation and erosions of the agreement’s contents.”
The committee, Ongkili added, would also be reaching out to youths in Sabah and Sarawak through seminars and workshops.
“This is to ensure the younger generations are fully informed of the historical aspects of the MA63 as well as the events that led to the formation of Malaysia,” he said.
Ongkili added that PBS also concurred with Sarawak’s stand on non-bargainable issues such as on immigration, land and natural resources.
Other PBS members who attended the meeting with Abang Johari were its vice-presidents Datuk Johnny Mositun, Datuk Almudin Kaida and Datuk Peter Mak, PBS secretary-general Datuk Jahid Jahim, PBS information chief Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, PBS Women chief Datuk Anita Baranting, PBS Youth chief Christopher Mandut, and PBS assistant treasurer General Julita Majungki. — DayakDaily
