KUCHING: Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali acknowledges and welcomes the support from the Democratic Action Party (DAP) Sarawak in realising the Sarawak Government’s claim over oil and gas rights.
However, the Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Law, MA63, and State-Federal Relations) cautioned that such support should not be driven by political motives.
“The important thing is that they support what our Premier is working towards. They should not support only when it’s election time or when there are other agendas,” she said when met by reporters after officiating the food basket distribution ceremony and bubur lambuk distribution programme at Dewan Masyarakat Kampung Tunku, here today (Mar 11).
She was responding to a statement from the Sarawak DAP Socialist Youth (DAPSY), where they expressed their readiness to cooperate with the Sarawak Government in strengthening the claim over oil and gas rights from the Federal Government.
DAPSY secretary, George Lam, said that this cooperation is vital to ensure that the efforts proceed smoothly without any finger-pointing among the parties involved.
While acknowledging the importance of bipartisan support, Hasidah refrained from commen+ting on potential collaboration with the opposition party.
“However, I emphasise that every party, regardless of affiliation in Sarawak, should support any struggle that benefits this region.
“If you support the Sarawak cause, support it. No matter the party, if it’s something good, we will fully support it for Sarawak,” she said.
In related developments, the Samariang assemblywoman also explained that Sarawak will continue discussions on unresolved issues under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
“Indeed, we will continue discussing matters that have not been fully resolved. There is still much to be refined, so it is an ongoing process,” she said.
She noted that one of the key issues to be discussed in the committee meeting this month is the special grant under Article 112D of the Federal Constitution.
“We have presented a formula from Sarawak on how this special grant can be calculated. A decision on this matter is very much needed,” she added.
Additionally, she stated that autonomy in education and healthcare will continue to be a primary focus in the discussions.
