SUPP youth attend MA63 seminar, dialogue

KUCHING (Sept 1): Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) Kota Sentosa youth members attended a seminar and dialogue on the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) with party leaders today.

Kota Sentosa assemblyman Wilfred Yap was invited as speaker for the seminar, during which he stressed the importance for grassroots members to understand the significance of MA63 and the federal constitution in fighting for Sarawak’s autonomy.

“As far as the Sarawak government’s stand is concerned, they are not asking for independence. Sarawak is in Malaysia. What the government want is for you to return what rightfully belongs to us,” said Yap during his address at a hotel here.

The first-term assemblyman explained the movement to reclaim Sarawak’s rights enshrined in MA63 has begun due to political uncertainty over the past five years and the formation of the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) ruling coalition.

Yap further highlighted that the Sarawak government demands autonomy over health and education matters, as well as to participate in petroleum exploration and mining activities in waters off Sarawak, to be recognised by the federal government.

“MA63 is about solidifying and strengthening the relationship between the people of Malaya, Sabah and Sarawak. By doing this, we acknowledge the fact that MA63 would only be possible with the merging of three distinct regions to form Malaysia,” he said.

As mentioned during a ‘Keluar Sekejap’ podcast with former federal lawmaker Khairy Jamaluddin, Yap said the policies of the Sarawak government led by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg were anchored on MA63, the federal constitution, and the Cobbold Commission report.

Thus, Yap stated that the provisions of MA63 must be effectively implemented, particularly the recommendations of the Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC) report, and for Sabah and Sarawak to occupy 35 per cent of the parliamentary seats.

“It is my fervent hope that the federal unity government shall be guided by the rule of law. The government should be of laws, rather than of men,” he said.