KUCHING: Sarawak’s constitutional rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) must not be exchanged for political support, said Chief Political Secretary to the Premier Datuk Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman.
He said Sarawak’s position on MA63 had remained consistent, regardless of which political coalition was in power at the federal level.
“MA63 is not a currency to be exchanged for political support. Governments may change and political arrangements may change, but Sarawak’s constitutional rights do not change with them,” he told Sarawak Tribune when contacted today.
Fazzrudin said Sarawak has consistently pursued its rights through successive Federal administrations, with its position based on MA63, the Federal Constitution, the Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC) Report and relevant laws.
He acknowledged that discussions and negotiations between the Federal and Sarawak governments are necessary on certain matters, particularly mechanisms, financial arrangements and the practical implementation of Sarawak’s rights.
“However, these negotiations must be guided by the Constitution, the law and the spirit of the agreements upon which Malaysia was formed — not by partisan political considerations,” he said.
He said Sarawak did not view the implementation of MA63 as the federal government granting concessions or favours to the State in return for political support.
“Neither should Sarawak’s rights be withheld or delayed because of political considerations,” he said.
Fazzrudin also stressed that Sarawak’s objective is not to weaken Malaysia, but rather to strengthen the Federation by ensuring the rights and responsibilities of all its constituent parts were respected.
“A Federation is strongest when the rights and responsibilities of all its constituent parts are respected and when commitments made in the formation of the country are faithfully implemented,” he said.
His remarks came after former law minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim questioned whether political support could be exchanged for Sarawak’s oil and gas interests in relation to the upcoming MA63 meeting.
In a Facebook post, Zaid raised concerns over the possibility of the federal government conceding to Sarawak’s demands, including the proposed role of Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (PETROS) as the sole gas aggregator, which he claimed could be worth RM10 billion annually.
He also questioned the federal government’s position on the interests of Petroliam Nasional Bhd (PETRONAS), calling for MA63 matters to be discussed openly in the national interest rather than becoming a “barter trade” among political leaders.
Fazzrudin said the Sarawak government would continue engaging the federal government constructively and professionally on outstanding MA63 matters based on the law and in the interests of both Sarawak and Malaysia as a whole.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is scheduled to chair the MA63 Implementation Action Council meeting at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) in Kota Kinabalu this Friday (Sept 11).
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak) Datuk Mustapha Sakmud said Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg and Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor are also expected to attend, with Sabah hosting the meeting.
