KUCHING, Sept 15: The current Perikatan Nasional (PN) government must not drag its feet any longer but must urgently address the genuine grievances of Sarawakians and Sabahans and give priority to recognise Sabah and Sarawak as equal partners with the states of the Peninsula.
SUPP Public Complaints Bureau (PCB) chief cum SUPP Kota Sentosa chairman, Wilfred Yap highlighted this in conjunction with the celebration of Malaysia Day tomorrow (Sept 16).
He thus called on the federal government to return the legal rights and interests accorded to Sabah and Sarawak under Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
“The PN federal government must respect the legitimate rights and interest of Sabah and Sarawak.
“As Sarawakians, we must never forget the significance of MA63, which is an International Treaty for the establishment of Malaysia that was signed on July 7, 1963.
“MA63 points to the fact that the one and only true date to the formation of Malaysia is Sept 16, 1963 by four independent countries, namely Federation of Malaya, Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore. Singapore seceded from Malaysia on Aug 9, 1965,” he reminded in a statement today.
MA63, Yap pointed out, was an international agreement, registered in the United Nations (UN) on Sept 21, 1970, bearing the registration number 10760.
Being an international agreement, he added, meant that the Malaysia Parliament has no authority to amend the terms of MA63.
And as Malaysia celebrates this historical day, Yap said Malaysians including Sarawakians should reflect on the important foundation that sustained this multi-cultural and multi-religious fabric of Malaysian society.
“It is only through harmony and understanding among the people of Sarawak, Sabah and Peninsula that will bind us all together as one people.P
“It is only through improvement in the social and economic status of Sarawak and Sabah, underscored by respect and empathy for her people and their cultures and heritage that Sarawakians and Sabahans would begin to feel they are equal to their sisters and brothers in Malaya,” he pointed out.
He also urged all to strive to enhance the spirit of patriotism and love for Malaysia and recommit themselves to further develop and strengthen the unity and understanding between the people of Sarawak, Sabah and Peninsula with trust and respect for one another within the confines of MA63.
“We would like to wish every Malaysian a ‘Selamat Menyambut Hari Malaysia’,” he concluded. — DayakDaily
