BATU Lintang assemblyman See Chee How today accused the Perikatan Nasional federal government of dragging its feet over the enforcement of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) that would see the restoration of Sarawak’s rights as equal partner in the federation of Malaysia.

The former PKR Sarawak vice-chairman said PN’s disinterest in the MA63 was evident in its dismantling of the cabinet steering committee on the MA63 and its refusal to form a select committee to oversee the execution of the agreement.

The cabinet steering committee was tasked with setting the direction, scope and pace of the exercise to restore the autonomy and special rights of Sabah and Sarawak in accordance with the terms of the MA63.

See, who urged the Sarawak government to convey its “strongest protest” to Putrajaya against the shelving the select committee, said the federal government should set a deadline to complete the devolution of rights promised to Sarawak.

“The decision of the federal government has cut the ground from underneath the GPS government’s feet,” See said.

GPS is the ruling state coalition allied with the PN federal government.

Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak affairs) Hanifah Hajar Taib told the Dewan Rakyat yesterday that the federal government had dismissed the need for a select committee on MA63.

The committee was proposed in April last year by former minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Liew Vui Keong in the the Pakatan Harapan administration.

See called the reversal a betrayal of the people of Sabah and Sarawak.

“If the state government maintains its silence, it will reflect badly on the GPS government who has reneged its earlier position to advocate and support the formation of the committee.”

See said Sarawak Chief Minister Abang Johari Openg, his state cabinet and Petra Jaya MP Fadillah Yusof had strongly supported the establishment of a select committee.

“The GPS government is as guilty in its association with this federal government which has shown no sincerity nor determination to return and restore the full rights and autonomy of Sarawak,” See said. – August 12, 2020.