KUCHING, Oct 12: The Sarawak Association for Peoples’ Aspiration (Sapa) has described the late Zainnal Ajamain as an activist who played an important role in raising awareness on Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) issues and rights and promoting Sabah and Sarawak self-determination.
Sapa information chief Peter John Jaban in a press statement today said Zainnal’s critical endorsement of Malaysia and MA63 had many supporters as well as critics.
Peter said Zainnal stood out as a champion for reinstatement of the MA63 treaty which was officially acknowledged as not recognised by the Federal Constitution.
He added that the late Zainnal, who was a Sabahan, felt deeply about what he termed to be federal policies which “discriminated and marginalised many Sabahans”.
“He, like many critics, have been reluctant to draw the obvious conclusion that the breach of fundamental terms an international treaty would terminate the treaty and make it void and not just voidable.
“However, activists who worked with him attested to his strong aspirations for independence for both Sabah and Sarawak which he believed could be achieved by firstly ‘fixing’ MA63 to bring it back to the 1963 position.
Peter also said Zainnal was remembered for his role in raising the stakes in the effort to reclaim petroleum rights when the latter and other Sabah activists took the Malaysian government to court over the Petroleum Development Act 1974 (PDA 1974) on the grounds that it was unconstitutional.
Peter said Zainnal’s passing on Oct 10 at the latter’s home in Damai Luyang, Sabah was a shock and a great loss for those who knew the activist. — DayakDaily
