KUCHING, Dec 1 — Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia has been asked his real motive in issuing a debate challenge to Sarawak Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Openg over the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).

PRS Youth chief Datuk Snowdan Lawan suggested today that Pandikar may have a hidden agenda.

"Is it for his political survival? Or to promote his book?” Lawan said at a news conference here.

He was referring to the Berpisah Tiada (Inseparable), a book in which Pandikar Amin expressed his views on the MA63 and other documents related to the formation of Malaysia.

Pandikar Amin who is from Sabah was previously reported saying documents unearthed at the British National Archives leading to the signing of MA63 and the formation of Malaysia in 1963 were "not legally binding” and unimportant. He then challenged Abang Johari to a debate for disagreeing with him.

Lawan, who is also state assistant minister of youth and sports, said Pandikar Amin is no position to issue the debate challenge as he is not in the same league as Abang Johari.

"To us, he is simply nobody. What is his status? He has no status, but just an appointed Speaker,” he said, stressing that Pandikar Amin has does not carry a mandate from the voters to speak for them.

Lawan said he would not accept a challenge should Pandikar Amar issued one to him.

"It is a waste of time. Why should I accept his challenge? He is not a Sarawakian,” he said.

Lawan expressed doubts if Pandikar Amin has the support of Sabah political leaders, adding that the northern Borneo state too has been fighting to reclaim its purportedly eroded rights under the MA63 that it had supposedly surrendered to the federal government over the years.

He claimed Pandikar Amin’s misguided views on MA63 to be an attempt to thwart efforts by Sarawak and Sabah to claim those rights back.

"Our chief minister would not pursue those rights if he has not enough documentary proofs to back our claims,” he said, adding that the formation of the state task force on state’s rights and interests, which is headed by Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah, shows Abang Johari’s determination.