KUCHING: Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) has insisted that Sarawak is one of the three nations in the federation of Malaysia.

Its president Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian said restoration of equal status wasn’t just in words or form, but in actions, including but not limited to payment of revenue, tax, oil and gas, territorial waters and continental shelf, among other things.

“To begin with, it is important to have equal representation and equal standing from Sabah and Sarawak in the negotiations with the federal government on the restoration of autonomy and rights of Sabah and Sarawak under MA63 (the Malaysia Agreement 1963).

“Any negotiations in this regard shall be based on the inter-governmental committee model as in 1962 but not under the current special cabinet committee. As neither Sarawak Government nor Sabah Government is subordinate to the federal government which deviates the spirit of MA63 when Malaysia was formed,” he said.

Dr Sim was reacting to The Borneo Post’s front page article titled ‘Restoring partner status’ in regards to the Federal Cabinet Special Committee on the Review of the MA63 having had its inaugural meeting on Monday at Putrajaya.

“SUPP will always be at the forefront of the Sarawak people’s voices when it comes to the fundamental rights of Sarawakians, without any compromise and fear,” said Dr Sim who is Minister of Local Government and Housing today.

The Monday meeting was chaired by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and attended by Sarawak Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg and Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal, among others.

The committee aims to restore the status of Sabah and Sarawak as equal partners to Malaya, as well as the rights and autonomy of these states under several jurisdictions.