By Peter Sibon
KUCHING, Feb 15: Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) is willing to collaborate with Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) and even the Warisan-led Sabah government as long as the objective to reclaim eroded rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) is achieved, said Tan Sri Dr James Masing.
“We will collaborate with whoever wants to combine with us to fulfil (reclaiming eroded rights under the) MA63. If Sabah wants to, why not?,” the deputy chief minister added when contacted.
He was commenting on PBS ’s meeting with Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg at the latter’s office here yesterday.
“If GPS and PBS can cooperate on MA63 to ensure that Putrajaya doesn’t deviate from the MA63 understanding, then it augurs well for the two eastern regions in Malaysia. Sarawak and Sabah combined efforts will ensure that Putrajaya doesn’t go astray from MA63,” he opined.
During yesterday’s one-hour meeting, PBS was led by its president Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili.
After the meeting, Ongkili said their intentions of meeting GPS leaders was to strengthen their networking with the Sarawak government by exploring and discussing common grounds to pursue ongoing efforts in collaborative and cooperative arrangements as enshrined in the MA63.
“A working committee will also be formed between PBS and GPS to review the ground status of MA63, including its historical aspects as well as the implementation and erosion of the agreement’s contents,” said Ongkili after the meeting.
He said the committee would also be reaching out to youths in Sabah and Sarawak through seminars and workshops.
“This is to allow the younger generations to be fully informed of the historical aspects of the MA63 as well as the events that led to the formation of Malaysia,” he said.
Ongkili said PBS also concurred with Sarawak’s stand on non-bargainable issues such as immigration, land and natural resources. Also present at the meeting were Deputy Chief Ministers Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, Masing, PBS deputy presidents Datuk Seri Radin Malleh, Datuk Dr Yee Moh Chai, and Datuk Jamilah Sulaiman.
Other PBS leaders in the delegation include its vice-presidents Datuk Johnny Mositun, Datuk Almudin Kaida and Datuk Peter Mak; secretary-general Datuk Jahid Jahim, information chief Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, Women chief Datuk Anita Baranting, Youth chief Christopher Mandut and assistant treasurer-general Julita Majungki. — DayakDaily
