By Karen Bong and Chris Bishop
KUCHING, Aug 13: The Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and the Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC) Report that have been recognised and entrenched in the Federal Constitution is a legal framework that must be respected to fully realise the comprehensive development of Sarawak and Malaysia as well as the aspirations of Keluarga Malaysia.
Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said this after leading a group in the ‘Berjalan Teguh Bersama Keluarga Malaysia’ from Kuching Waterfront across Darul Hana Bridge to the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Sarawak Complex that kicked off the Sarawak-level National Day celebration and Flying Jalur Gemilang 2022 today.
“When Malaysia was formed, it was a federation based on the agreements that had been inked and sealed between leaders of Sarawak, Sabah and Peninsular Malaysia (Tanah Melayu at the time).
“Last year, the (Federal) government amended the constitution to insert several factors that became the basis of the formation of Malaysia.
“I take this opportunity to express our thanks to the Federal government which has made the amendments successfully and taking into consideration the MA63 as the foundation of the formation of Malaysia as well as recognising the IGC Report.
“This is the legal framework that must be respected in developing the Malaysia Family that is always peaceful and harmonious,” he emphasised.
As Sarawak joined the whole of Malaysia to celebrate the National Day month celebration, Abang Johari expressed gratitude that the country continues to be blessed with peace and harmony.
“This is because the Malaysian community gives priority in safeguarding our harmonious living conditions even when we come from a diverse background.
“Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob) has visited Sarawak twice because he understood Sarawak is blessed with a diverse community who live harmoniously like a big family. This is our uniqueness and as such, it is important for us to safeguard our way of life,” he added.
With that, Abang Johari said Sarawak is committed to further strengthen the existence of Malaysia by improving urban and rural development according to the changing times.
Fixing its eyes on steering Sarawak towards becoming a high income and developed State by 2030, he said the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government is placing emphasis on adding value to the available resources in Sarawak to ensure its long-term development goals can be achieved.
“This is our common desire, like I have mentioned to the Prime Minister – when Sarawak progresses, Malaysia also progresses.”
Deputy Premier Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian, DUN Speaker Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar, Minister of Youth, Sport and Entrepreneur Development Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Minister in the Premier of Sarawak’s Department Datuk John Sikie, Deputy Minister of Law, MA63 and State-Federal Relations Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali, Deputy Minister of Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datuk Snowdan Lawan, Deputy Minister of Energy and Environmental Sustainability Dr Hazland Abang Hipni, State Secretary Abu Bakar Marzuki and Information Department Sarawak director Jaafar Jantan were among those present. — DayakDaily
