KUCHING: Kuching South City Council (MBKS) councillor Eric Tay Tze Kok has voiced strong support for Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar’s call for the federal government to restore Sarawak’s pre-1985 powers.
He said these powers are Sarawak’s rightful entitlements under the Federal Constitution and the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), and they must be fully restored and safeguarded.
“We must respect the Constitution and the spirit of MA63.
“This is not only a legal and contractual obligation, but also the foundation for safeguarding the welfare of Sarawakians.
“Only when our rights are properly protected, the Sarawak government can effectively implement policies that truly benefit the people.”
Tay said this in his statement issued today, whereby he stressed that Sarawak must be granted autonomy to plan and execute policies in critical sectors such as education and healthcare in order to achieve real progress.
“For Sarawak to achieve economic growth, we must first reclaim the rights that rightfully belong to us.
“The healthcare sector in particular is facing an urgent shortage of professionals, and restoring Sarawak’s rights would enable the state to better train and retain much-needed talent.”
He added that education, healthcare, construction, wholesale and retail, and the wider economy, all of these are interdependent and indispensable.
“Legal and constitutional safeguards are essential to ensure these sectors operate in order and without conflict.”
He also urged the federal government to honour its commitments under MA63, enshrining Sarawak’s rights into the Constitution and restoring them to their pre-1985 status.
“We must continue to fight for what Sarawak rightfully deserves, so that all Sarawakians may truly benefit.”
