KUCHING: Sarawak will continue to fight for its rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) which had been eroded over the years, says Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
The Sarawak Premier said the state would not let up in its efforts until all its rights were restored.
In this light, he thanked the Federal Government for recently agreeing to return 52 lots of undeveloped land back to the state.
"This includes the historic General Post Office building, which will be given back to us," he said at the Sarawak Day parade at Padang Merdeka here on Saturday (July 22).
Abang Johari said recent 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.
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.
Moving forward, Abang Johari said the state government was pursuing green policies to mitigate climate change.
He said the green economy offered opportunities to Sarawak to develop new sectors such as hydrogen production, carbon storage and trading and sustainable aviation fuel from algae biomass.
In addition, Abang Johari said the World Bank recently categorised Sarawak as a high-income state, ahead of its 2030 target date.
"This achievement, seven years earlier than we targeted, 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.
"The parade symbolises our unity in celebrating our independence," minister in charge of the celebration Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said.
"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 added.
Abdul Karim also called on Sarawakians to continue upholding unity and harmony for a better future.
He said for the last 60 years, Sarawakians from all races lived together in mutual harmony and respect.
"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.
