KUCHING, Dec 1: Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia has no grounds to debate Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg on Sarawak’s rights under Malaysian Agreement 1963 (MA63), says Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) Youth.
In a press conference today, PRS Youth chief Datuk Snowdan Lawan said the party stands in full support behind Abang Johari regarding safeguarding the state’s rights as far as MA63 is concerned.
“Besides continuing the legacy of what the late Tok Nan (Pehin Sri Adenan Satem) has done, Abang Johari was given the mandate even by the opposition members in the recent DUN (State Legislative Assembly sitting) to fight for Sarawak’s eroded rights.
“Who is Pandikar Amin to challenge the CM of Sarawak? He is not even a Sarawakian. Pandikar Amin should safeguard the rights of Sabah, where he is from, which is also part of MA63 and not be a busybody regarding Sarawak’s stand on the matter.”
He added that as far as PRS Youth was concerned, they do not care what Pandikar Amin’s stand is regarding Sabah’s rights, because it is up to Sabah’s leaders to take steps and to do what they think is right.
When asked what was the motive in Pandikar Amin saying so, Snowdan replied that maybe the former who has recently launched a book for sale needs to bring himself into the limelight.
When asked to comment on a photo being circulated on social media purportedly showing a Berita Sabah newspaper clipping from July 1996, showing Pandikar Amin urging the government to abolish the 20-point agreement which was meant to safeguard Sabah’s interests in the formation of Malaysia, Snowdan replied that Pandikar Amin is entitled to his own point of view as far as Sabah is concerned.
“Pandikar can even urge the government to abolish ICs. But when it comes to Sarawak, he has no rights and should keep his opinion to himself and keep his mouth shut.”
Meanwhile, a publicity statement released by PRS Youth following the press conference pointed out that Pandikar Amin was only appointed as Dewan Rakyat Speaker and is not an elected representative.
“Pandikar’s statement that MA63 is not an important document shows that either he is naive or he has a personal agenda to undermine Sarawak’s pursuit of autonomy based on MA63.
“MA63 is a critical document in the formation of Malaysia, after the Cobbold Commission report that gauged the voices and opinions of Sarawakians and Sabahans to form Malaysia.
“It (formation of Malaysia) is like three to four partners forming a company; all of the partners will sign the agreement, its content been agreed upon.” — DayakDaily
