KUCHING: Sarawak will continue pursuing the restoration of its rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) that were eroded over the years, says Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.

       The Sarawak Premier pledged to carry on the legacy of his late predecessor, Tan Sri Adenan Satem, who had initiated efforts to regain the state’s rights.

       “Tok Nan [Adenan] is no longer with us, but I assure you that the efforts to restore Sarawak’s eroded rights will continue until all that was provided for Sarawak in MA63 is respected and fulfilled,” he said at the Sarawak Day parade at Padang Merdeka here yesterday.

       In this regard, Abang Johari thanked the Federal Government for recently agreeing to return 52 lots of undeveloped land to the state, including the site of the historic General Post Office building.

       State pride: Royal Malaysian Navy servicemen stand at attention while the Sarawak flag is raised during the celebration.

       He said other achievements in restoring Sarawak’s rights included the authority to implement federal projects worth RM50mil and below, with the state Public Works Department and Drainage and Irrigation Department recognised as technical departments.

       “We have also succeeded in placing a representative from Sarawak on the directors’ board of the Inland Revenue Board, in accordance with Article 112D of the Federal Constitution,” he said.

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       Abang Johari said Sarawak had come a long way since attaining self-government from the British in 1963.

       “The power to determine our own future is a legacy we should continue to strengthen to make Sarawak a developed, peaceful and prosperous state,” he said.

       Intriguing spectacle: (Left) A replica of a riverboat being paraded during the celebration. (Bottom) Men dressed in traditional Iban warrior clothing taking part in the festivities.

       The Premier said the state government is now implementing its post-Covid-19 development strategy to turn Sarawak into a developed, high-income state by 2030.

       In this light, he said, the World Bank’s recent announcement that Sarawak already qualifies as a high income state came seven years earlier than targeted.

       “This achievement will spur us to work harder so that we can increase the household income of all Sarawakians,” he said.

       The Sarawak Day parade was one of the highlights of the state’s 60th independence anniversary celebration.

       During earlier preparations, Sarawak Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah who was charge of the celebration, said the parade symbolised Sarawak’s unity in diversity.

       “Over 3,000 participants from Sarawak’s various ethnic groups are taking part in 75 contingents representing government agencies, educational institutions, associations and non-governmental organisations,” he said.

       Abdul Karim urged Sarawakians to continue living together in unity and harmony, which he said they have done for the last 60 years.

       “The benefits of independence that we enjoy today were inherited from our forefathers.

       “It is our responsibility to pass this on to future generations,” he said.