In rubbishing claims Sarawak seeks to topple national entity, Abg Jo states resources must be shared equitably

BINTULU (July 23): Sarawak does not intend to topple any national entity as claimed by certain parties, said Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.

The Premier said Sarawak has never demanded anything from the federal government other than for existing rights to be respected and fulfilled.

“I sincerely hope that those parties do not politicise the desire of the people of Sarawak to be involved in the oil and gas industry in this country because the power and resources of this country should be shared more fairly and equitably.

“Sarawak cannot do everything by itself and the wisest way for Sarawak is through partnership and collaboration with national and international entities to transform the state’s economy,” he said during the Sarawak Day 2024 celebration at the Bintulu Old Airport site last night.

He said Parliament recently repealed the Bintulu Port Act (1981) and the port will be handed over to the Sarawak government after 43 years of being under the federal government’s authority.

“This is because Sarawak intends to more effectively regulate the ports found in Sarawak through the state’s own law, which is an ordinance that was enacted before the establishment of Malaysia, the Port Authority Ordinance 1961.

“The power to regulate state ports is also enshrined in the List Additional States (List IIA) under the Ninth Schedule of the Federal Constitution,” he said.

He thanked the Madani Unity government led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who agreed to return Bintulu Port to Sarawak by repealing the Act.

However, he said the handover was not free because Sarawak had to pay compensation to the federal government, especially when taking over assets.

“Sarawak’s efforts to restore its rights do not mean that Sarawak is not concerned about the interests of the country.

“In fact, my friends and I in GPS brought Sarawak to support the Madani government led by PMX because we agreed that the federal government should be a stable government to face a future full of challenges.

“I would once again like to thank PMX and his Cabinet for being concerned about the efforts to respect the agreement between the previous leaders when establishing Malaysia.

“With the return of these rights, I am very confident that Sarawak can become a new economic power in this country and also in the Asian region,” he said.

Sarawak’s progress would also ensure Malaysia benefits as well because of tax collection, including corporate tax and income tax, which are all returned to the federal government, he said.

“The rights and privileges of Sarawak are what the fathers of our independence agreed upon in 1963 and are not new things or mere demands.

“All parties must respect this agreement as enshrined in the Federal Constitution, MA63 (Malaysia Agreement 1963), and Inter-Governmental Reports (IGC Report),” he added.