July 7 DUN sitting a crucial step to reclaim Sarawak's MA63 rights, says activist
KUCHING (June 26): The upcoming special session of the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (DUN), scheduled for July 7, presents a timely and critical opportunity for Sarawak to reclaim its rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), said activist Peter John Jaban.
The Deputy President of the Global Human Rights Federation described the session as an ideal platform for Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg to officially declare Sarawak's full autonomy.
'They may as well do that, especially since it has been widely speculated that the July 7 session will focus on electoral reform,' he stated in a press release yesterday.
'The MA63 Cabinet Special Committee has been in place since 2018.
'Despite some progress at the federal level – particularly through constitutional amendments to Articles 1(2), 160(2), 161A(6), and 161A(7) proposed by Tun Pehin Sri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar (now Sarawak Governor) – deliberations have dragged on far too long in Putrajaya,' he said.
Peter John praised the Sarawak Government's ongoing efforts under the Premier's leadership to restore the state's priorities in education, healthcare, infrastructure, and the petroleum sector.
'Now is the time to enact legislation to formally reinstate the areas of autonomy promised to Sarawak, as exemplified by the establishment of Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (Petros),' he emphasised.
He also reiterated the importance of rectifying the historical reduction of parliamentary seats allocated to Sarawak and Sabah and reaffirmed that the Borneo states' veto power enshrined in MA63 is non-negotiable.
'We fully support any efforts by the Sarawak Government and the Election Commission to rectify the urban-rural voter imbalance and to eliminate any form of biased redelineation,' he said.
Peter John urged the Premier to seize this opportunity, highlighting the progress already made to position Sarawak on a self-reliant path.
'We support the Premier's initiatives to generate revenue, establish financial institutions, build a strong education and health ecosystem, and connect Sarawak through its own airline.
'In fact, we are all accustomed to calling him 'Premier' now. He has proven the potential, authority, and direction of Sarawak's institutions,' he added.
'However, now is the time to fully reclaim our rights under MA63 as discussions have been going on for too long,' he noted.
He further asserted that with a bill in the DUN declaring unilateral autonomy, the state's civil service could begin implementing the necessary administrative frameworks.
'There remains much to be done – strengthening immigration controls, abolishing the cabotage policy, 'Borneonising' our institutions, and more. But we cannot advance while caught in endless deliberations,' he reiterated.
Peter John concluded by cautioning that the July 7 sitting must be impactful and not diverted by minor outcomes.
'Sarawak has long fought for autonomy with great patience. This is the time for the final push.
'The Premier has shown the way – get on with the job without much talk and it is now the time to create the right framework so that all parties in Sarawak can follow suit.' DUN sitting lead MA63 Peter John
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