DISCUSSIONS on the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) should give justice not only to Sabah but also Sarawak as one of the partners in the formation of the country, said Sarawak Chief Minister Abang Johari Openg.

He said the MA63 Steering Committee should have an equal number of representatives for Sarawak, Sabah and the federal government.

“Many of our rights have (been) eroded. I have written to the federal government, to the prime minister, asking for justice in the effort to resolve MA63 issues. If we really are a partner, then the number of representatives (in the committee) should be five for Sarawak, five for Sabah and five for the federal government.

“Discussions on MA63 must also cover the financial obligation of the federal government to Sarawak, as stated in Article 112 D. All discussions on MA63 could affect the development in Sarawak, including the Malay community,” he said at the closing of the 7th Seminar on Sarawak Malay Cultures in Kuching yesterday.

Present was Deputy Chief Minister Awang Tengah Ali Hasan. 

At another event last night, Abang Johari launched the book titled “Songket dan Keringkam: Warisan Melayu Sarawak” in conjunction with the International Songket and Keringkam Exposition 2018.

The book, co-authored by Suhana Sarkawi, Dr Dayang Hanani Abang Ibrahim and Dr Nadianatra Musa, detailed the uniqueness, application procedures, motifs, philosophy and innovation of Sarawak’s songket and keringkam products.

The book is published by Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) with the copyright owned by the state government. – Bernama, November 1, 2018.