Adenan seeks support for Sarawak government request for devolution of powers

KUCHING: Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem (pix) today called on opposition parties, NGOs and the people of Sarawak to back the state government in its request for the devolution of powers from the federal government.
He said the state government was in the midst of negotiations for the federal government to restore the state's powers and rights as stated in the Malaysia Agreement 1963.
Under the Malaysia Agreement 1963, Malaya, Sarawak, North Borneo (now Sabah) and Singapore agreed to the formation of the Federation of Malaysia.
"That agreement cannot be amended even by the constitution because it is an international treaty and any attempt therefore to amend the Malaysia Agreement 1963 would be unconstitutional," Adenan stressed.
The Chief Minister spoke at the Sarawak Day celebration at the Kuching Waterfront. Also present was his wife Puan Sri Jamilah Anu.
The event was also attended by Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud and his wife Toh Puan Raghad Kurdi Taib.
Adenan said that over the last 50 years there had been constant erosion of the powers given to Sarawak under the Malaysia Agreement 1963.
"We are now claiming back our rights originally given to us way back in 1963 and there has been a positive response from the federal government," he said.
Adenan said a committee had been formed headed by the federal attorney-general and the state attorney-general to work out the details of the subject, adding that he hoped to see results by the end of this year or early next year.
He said the young generation would not know about history with regard to the formation of Malaysia and the Malaysia Agreement 1963.
"Today, I notice members of the opposition are also present here. I deliberately invited them because we are all together ... the government and the opposition ... in fighting for our rights as Sarawakians," he said.
Adenan said the state government would never agree to the idea that Sarawak be separated from Malaysia.
He urged Sarawakians to strive for a better future and equal place in the federation.

The Chief Minister said Sarawak did not want to still have, after 50 years, schools that fall into the river, schools without electricity, schools without water supply, and unfinished roads and public utilities.
"If it is 20 or 30 years we don't mind but if it is more 50 years we cannot tolerate anymore and therefore we have asked the federal government to be more sympathetic to us and we question their right over our resources because these are our resources," he said. — Bernama