SARAWAK’s demands relating to its rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) were made not just in the best interests of the state alone, but also of Malaysia, according to Deputy Chief Minister Awang Tengah Ali Hasan.

He said negotiations to restore the rights of the state, which may have been deliberately or (unintentionally) eroded was among the main agenda of the state government led by Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS).

“We will continue to fight because these are our rights that should be returned to us. We are thankful that there is a venue to discuss this matter, with the Prime Minister (Ismail Sabri Yaakib) resuming negotiations through the Special Council on MA63.

“Several of our demands have been fulfilled, and whichever have not, we are committed to continuing with the negotiations to resolve the issues. We will continue doing this, not only for Sarawak but also for Malaysia, so that our beloved country will always move forward with a strong spirit of unity and solidarity,” he said in a recent interview with Bernama at his office in Kuching.

Awang Tengah said ever since the era of its fourth Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud (now the Yang Di-Pertua Negeri of Sarawak), the state government had adopted a policy that focuses on efforts to develop Sarawak and improve the well-being of the people.

“From Abdul Taib to the late Tok Nan (Adenan Satem) and now Abang Jo (Abang Johari Openg), Sarawak has maintained its political stability and has a stable government, a government that has a policy of not wanting to marginalise any party,” he said.

Awang Tengah said with a society of different ethnicities and religions, it was evident that those differences had never been a weakness but rather a strength that unites the people.

He said the state government, through the Chief Minister’s Department, had also established the Unit for Other Religion (Unifor) to create a harmonious society, an effort that was welcomed by all communities.

“For Muslims, we already have the Islamic Religious Council and the Islamic Religious Department. We set up Unifor to create a harmonious society, living together even though we are of different religious beliefs. This move is very much welcomed by the people,” he said.

He also called on the people to work closely together and strengthen unity to ensure political stability as it was vital in creating a conducive investment ecosystem and environment. – Bernama, October 24, 2021.