KUCHING - A vocal Sarawak activist has cast doubt on Putrajaya’s efforts related to the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), accusing Dr Mahathir Mohamad of “beating around the bush” in addressing calls to restore the state’s rights under the Malaysia federation.Peter John Jaban, who heads Solidariti Anak Sarawak (SAS), said he was convinced the prime minister would not incorporate anything from the 56-year-old agreement into the Federal Constitution.
“This is what the MA63 committee under Mahathir is studying,” he told FMT. “He will find some way to wangle out since Pakatan Harapan did not win in Sabah and Sarawak.”
Jaban was responding to Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku president Jeffrey Kitingan who said yesterday that there was nothing to negotiate as far as the rights of Sarawak and Sabah are concerned.
Solidariti Anak Sarawak founder Peter John Jaban.
He agreed with Jeffrey, saying Sarawak and Sabah had lost their “kingmaker status” in the Malaysian Parliament.
“Just implement what’s in the Federal Constitution. What is there to be discussed again? These are non-negotiable issues.”
He also said Mahathir was “beating around the bush” when he said there was little disagreement between Putrajaya and the two states over MA63.
On Tuesday, Mahathir, who chairs the Special Committee to Review the Malaysia Agreement 1963, said “most of the working papers” had been referred to the Technical Committee for further study.
But Jaban said there were no details of what had been discussed so far.
By Larissa Lumandan
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