By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Nov 25: Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Youth has called on former law minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim to issue an open apology over his alleged remarks in a recent podcast that Sarawak and Sabah are a ‘burden’ and suggesting that the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) should be abolished.
In a statement issued on Nov 24, they expressed dissatisfaction not only with Zaid’s response to the Chief Political Secretary to the Premier of Sarawak, Dato Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman, saying the former minister had refused to acknowledge that his words had offended the people of Sarawak and Sabah, but that he also claimed that he had the right to express such an opinion.
“PBB Youth believes that MA63 is a foundational document for the formation of Malaysia, and that the contents of the agreement must be fulfilled and should no longer be questioned.
“The rhetoric calling for Sarawak and Sabah to be given ‘independence’ or, in simple terms, discarded after 62 years in the Malaysian Federation, is an extreme view and can be considered provocative.
“We urge the authorities and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to take appropriate action to safeguard public harmony and peace.
“This includes conducting investigations into individuals who deliberately undermine the sovereignty of Sarawak, regardless of their status or position,” they said.
They also called on the public to exercise greater caution in their comments regarding the rights and special privileges of Sarawak, to protect the sensitivities of the people of the Land of the Hornbill.
“At PBB Youth, we welcome exchanges of views and discussions to determine the direction of the nation and Sarawak’s relationship with the federal government.
“However, we will not remain silent while Sarawak’s rights and privileges are openly challenged, as seen in recent viral statements. We urge Datuk Zaid Ibrahim to issue an open apology to the people of Sarawak and Sabah for his remarks immediately, to ease tensions and preserve public peace.” — DayakDaily
