By Adrian Lim
KUCHING, Aug 15: Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Sarawak has urged the federal government to disclose the final report of the Special Cabinet Committee on Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
PKR Sarawak information chief Abun Sui Anyit called on Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak Affairs) Datuk Hanifah Hajar Taib who is a Sarawakian to push for the Special Cabinet Committee’s final report to be published immediately.
“The Perikatan Nasional (PN) government’s refusal to reveal ongoing discussions on matters related to MA63 Special Cabinet Committee’s findings is astounding.
“The people of Sarawak must be kept informed on the progress and Hanifah’s refusal to debate MA63 openly and the reasons for the decision is extremely disappointing.
“Matters as crucial as MA63 including any restoration of Sarawak’s rights must be made public and debated robustly in Parliament.
“It is understood that on December 10, 2019, approval had been granted on 17 out of the 21 matters tabled by the state governments of Sabah and Sarawak.
“The four matters outstanding now must be progressed and as such, PKR Sarawak calls for the negotiations to be conducted transparently and concluded without delay.
“The government must implement urgent democratic reforms beginning with transparent and accountable governance and open access to all reports pertaining to MA63 Special Cabinet Committee findings without further delay,” he said in a press statement yesterday.
He added that at present, the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government has committed its support to the Perikatan Nasional (PN) Government and the Special Cabinet Committee on MA63.
Nonetheless, he noted that when it comes to questions relating to MA63, the GPS MPs did not speak up on the matter.
He opined that for over five decades, the people of Sarawak have suffered under the same politicians who were in Barisan Nasional Sarawak (BN Sarawak) and now in GPS.
Thus, he believed that it is now time for change and reform to ensure the rights of Sarawakians are defended and upheld.
Abun Sui added PKR Sarawak calls on the present PN government and its loose alliance of supporters in GPS to immediately agree to the creation of a cross party select committee on specific matters related to MA63.—DayakDaily
