Putrajaya to continue efforts to restore rights of Sarawak, Sabah as per MA63

Dr Mahathir (second right) together with (from left) Abang Johari, Taib, Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan and Shafie beating the "Unity Drum" to officiate the Malaysia Day 2019 Celebration.

KUCHING, Sept 16: The federal government assures Sarawak that it will strive to return the State’s rights according to the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).

Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said although the federal government’s effort to table Federal Constitution Amendment Bill last April failed, the federal government under the leadership of Pakatan Harapan (PH) is continuing its effort to return Sarawak’s rights as per MA63.

“The PH government will continue its efforts to return the status to its partners Sabah and Sarawak, including resolving other issues cropping up along the way.

“The federal government has established the MA63 Steering Committee for that purpose,” he said during the National Level Malaysia Day 2019 Celebration at Stadium Perpaduan here this evening.

The celebration officiated by Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud was attended by more than 10,000 people.

Also present were Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg, Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Mohd Shafie Apdal and other federal cabinet ministers.

Meanwhile, Dr Mahathir also reminded Malaysians not to take for granted the unity and harmony of the multi-religious and multiracial society of Malaysia.

“The responsibility to preserve the unity among us is not just the responsibility of the federal and the State governments, but the responsibility of us all Malaysians,” he said.

Dr Mahathir said there have been some efforts to disrupt the unity among Malaysians by Malaysians themselves, by stroking racial, religious and regional sentiments.

“It is easy for us to fall for these issues because they are close to our hearts. But we have big hearts and can think straight to not allow ourselves to be influenced by them,” he said.— DayakDaily