Sarawak to continue fighting but won’t secede, says Adenan

A lively celebration: Performers waving the state and national flags at the first Sarawak Day event at the Kuching Waterfront.

KUCHING: Sarawak will continue pushing for its rights under the Malaysia Agreement but will never agree to secede, said Tan Sri Adenan Satem.

The Chief Minister said the state government’s position was to remain in Malaysia “before, now and forever in the future”.

Speaking at the first Sarawak Day celebration at the Kuching Waterfront yesterday, he said Sarawak had chosen to be part of the new federation in 1963 by entering into the Malaysia Agree­ment with Britain, Malaya, Sabah and Singapore.

“There is another group celebrating Sarawak Day in some other place. We subscribe to what you subscribe to, but if you advocate secession, our answer is no,” he said, referring to the Sarawak for Sarawakians movement which organised its own celebration in Serian.

This year’s July 22 has been declared a public holiday to commemorate the day the state gained self-government from British colonial rule in 1963, shortly before the formation of Malaysia.

Adenan said Sarawak was pursuing the powers granted to the state as an equal partner in the nation, which had been eroded over the years.

“We are now claiming the rights originally given to us in 1963. There has been a response from the Federal Government. A committee has been formed by the Federal and state attorney-generals to work out the details,” he said.

“We must fight for our rights and I hope there will be results before the end of this year.”

On the declaration of July 22 as Sarawak Day, Adenan said it was in recognition of those who fought for the state’s independence and the fulfilment of Charles Vyner Brooke’s promise made in September 1941 that one day Sarawakians would rule themselves. He added that it was important for the younger generation to know the state’s history.

“Our job is to be proud of being Sarawakians, to preserve our dignity as a people, fight for our rights and remind our friends in Peninsular Malaysia so that they will know what happened 53 years ago.”

Adenan also thanked Oppo­sition members for attending the celebration, saying he invited them because all Sarawakians should be united in fighting for the state’s rights.

State PKR vice-chairman See Chee How said he was happy to be present at the significant occasion.

“The important thing is for all Sarawakians to stand together and make this day more meaningful as we fight for what we should be getting in Malaysia for the progress and future development of Sarawak,” he said.

A sizeable crowd gathered at the waterfront for the event which was graced by Sarawak Governor Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud.