Be firm about our rights, CM tells Sarawakians

(The Borneo Post) – “There is a groundswell which we cannot deny and we cannot ignore. Ignore it, and ignore it at your own peril.”

Sarawakians serving in the federal government, including as federal ministers, have been reminded to be insistent when upholding the rights of Sarawak.

Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem, who gave this reminder, said they must be bold to speak up otherwise these rights would not be taken seriously.

“I know, I have been a member of the federal cabinet, and if there is something related to Sarawak, I would speak up. I always speak up whether we agree or not, we speak up because we (Sarawakians) don’t like to be taken for granted. And, because we (Sarawak) are not a state within the federation.

“Malaysia was formed by virtue of an agreement, not by way of annexation,” he said at the 10th Joint Gawai-Kaamatan Celebration dinner organised by Dayak Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) and Kadazandusun Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) that was held at Sarawak Cultural Village, Santubong on Sunday.

He said in the last 53 years, there had been an erosion of Sarawak’s rights and privileges in violation of the Cobbold Commission report and recommendation, Malaysia Agreement and the Inter Governmental Committee report and recommendations.

He pointed out many of those in the Peninsula especially those now in charge of matters in Kuala Lumpur were not even born during the formation of Malaysia and they don’t even know there is such a thing as the Inter Governmental Committee, Cobbold Commission, Malaysia Agreement and others.

“It is therefore our duty to remind them. And to do that, I have set up a committee of experts from Sarawak to look into the law and constitution. The Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak) has agreed to appoint the federal attorney general to talk with our state attorney general on these matters.

“So, there has been progress on this matter. And I believe the same will go for Sabah,” he said, in obvious reference to the recent meeting between him and Najib in Putrajaya to discuss the devolution of powers.

On his decision to make July 22 as Sarawak Independence Day, he said this was in honour of those who fought for Sarawak’s independence and self-governance and to remind the younger generation of their contributions.

Despite the strong Sarawak sentiments going on at present, Adenan insisted that Sarawak will remain in the Federation of Malaysia and it will not secede.

“There is a groundswell which we cannot deny and we cannot ignore. Ignore it, and ignore it at your own peril.

“We will not of course, we will never left Malaysia. No, there is no such thing as secession. What we will do is to fight for our rights within the constitution within the Malaysia Agreement, within the IGC, within the Cobbold Commission.

“And, stay within the federation. That is our future. Malaysia now, Malaysia before, Malaysia forever. That is our stand,” he said.

He also hoped to see the Pan Borneo Highway, which is currently under construction, expand Sarawak’s economy and raise living standards much like how the North-South Highway has done for West Malaysia in terms of multiplying effect to the economy.

“You cannot deny that after 53 years in the federation, we are still behind West Malaysia in infrastructure. I can accept it if we are still behind after 10 years, 20 years or even 30 years, but not after more than half of a century. It’s time for us to catch up .. we are given so much time.

“That is why I insisted on the so-called Pan Borneo Highway of Sarawak. So when the highway is finished in about five to six years time, it will expand our economy and raise living standards,” he said.

He said he also insisted that Sarawak contractors including those companies associated with DCCI be given priority for the project so that the people in Sarawak will participate and not just be bystanders.

“And the same goes with oil and gas. Even though we have a share, we could have a better share. I question the Petroleum Act and Petroleum Development Act. This is part of the negotiations that is going on.

“It will take some time because the issues are complicated, but we will go very slowly… We have the support of all the people on this one,” he said.