Chief Minister Abang Johari Tun Openg will make an announcement on the return of Sarawak’s rights by the federal government under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA 1963) and Federal Constitution on March 6.

He said the announcement would be made in Kuching but did not state specifically where the location or time it would be made.

“The Prime Minister (Najib Razak) has stated he will return the state’s rights, which have been eroded or taken under MA 1963 and our constitution, so he has agreed.

“I will announce the rights that will be returned to us and become Sarawak’s rights. I am courageous to do all these because only we can determine our own future and much strategic development will be carried out,” he said when speaking at the Unity Night in conjunction with the Chap Goh Meh celebration in Sibu last night.

He said there was a need for a policy to protect the interests of all the people in the state and only Sarawak based parties – Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS), Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP), Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) as well as United People’s Party (UPP) – are the channel to determine the fate and future of Sarawak.

Hence, he reiterated his call that SUPP and its splinter party, UPP should unite to safeguard the interests of the Chinese community in the state, whether at the state assembly or parliamentary level.

He said at the five Chinese New Year celebration functions that he attended in the state, the Sarawak Chinese community had asked him to unite SUPP and UPP.

“I will try but it is up to the Chinese community and political leaders (Chinese) to consider the importance of their community,” he said.

As chief minister, Abang Johari said he needed a solid team, to administer and develop Sarawak, which has a bright future while the participation of the Chinese community was needed in the state’s economic and infrastructure development.

Also present at the event were Second Finance Minister and UPP president Wong Soon Koh as well Local Government and Housing Minister and SUPP president Sim Kui Hian.

- Bernama