KUCHING, Nov 9 ― The Sarawak State Legislative Assembly today unanimously adopted a motion mandating the state government to form a high level special task force to negotiate with Putrajaya on all matters related to the state’s special rights and constitutional safeguards.

The special rights and safeguards, accorded to Sarawak in accordance with the terms, intent and spirit of the Malaysia Agreement 1963, include the territorial sea, oil mining rights and special financial grants accorded to Sarawak under the Federal Constitution.

"The state government desires that these important issues be resolved amicably without resorting to legal action so as not to jeopardise the unity of the federation and the good relationships that exist between the state and federal governments,” Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said when tabling the motion on the Malaysian Agreement 1963.

He said the state government proposes that a high level special task force be established to conclude the negotiations with the federal government and have these issues resolved.

He said that the resolution of these important legal and constitutional issues must be undertaken by the highest levels at both the federal and state levels.

"Hence, the state government wants the  federal government to establish a corresponding task force so as to facilitate the resolution of these issues amicably and in the national interests with the state’s interests and rights properly safeguarded and entrenched,” he said.

Uggah said the passing of the motion should not in any way be misinterpreted or construed to mean that the state is willing to sacrifice and jeopardise the continued existence of Malaysia as a nation, adding that Sarawak will always remain in Malaysia.

Uggah said the mission by the state legal team to the British national archives last July to retrieve documents related to Sarawak in the formation of Malaysia was not a waste of public fund as claimed by the opposition.

He said the team managed to retrieve 180 documents which had been taken by the colonial officials after the formation of Malaysia.