KUCHING, Feb 10 — The federal government will form a high-level committee to discuss with Sarawak the return of the state’s rights, Datuk Seri Najib Razak said today.

Speaking at the 14th Triennial Delegates Convention of Parti Pesaka Bumiputra Bersatu (PBB) at the Borneo Convention Centre here, the prime minister said the decision was to match the move by the state government.

"So Abang Jo, don’t worry. If the state has established a high-level committee, we will also establish one at the federal,” he said, referring to Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Openg.

Abang Johari, in his speech earlier, had said that the state government had formed a high-level committee headed by his three deputies Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, Tan Sri James Masing, and Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan.

The state level committee was formed after the State Legislative Assembly unanimously passed a motion asking the federal government to return the state’s rights.

Najib said he has no problem discussing the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) with the state government, saying that "as family members of the Barisan Nasional, we can discuss things in a conducive and friendly manners.”

"I have promised before that we will return those rights, enshrined in MA63 and which have been eroded, to Sarawak.

"If we have either knowingly or unknowingly or by design or otherwise, taken those rights and powers, then I am prepared to return those rights to Sarawak,” the Umno president said.

He said it is not right for the federal government to take rights belonging to other people.

"What is important is for Sarawak to remain under the Barisan Nasional and in the federation of Malaysia,” he said, adding that the next time he comes to Sarawak hopefully he would want to see "smiles and happy faces” around.

Najib said the situation was different when Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad was the prime minister as the subject of MA63 was considered as out of bounds and anyone who dared to talk about it risked being detained under the Internal Security Act.

"If you don’t believe me, you can ask some political leaders in Sabah, including Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili, PBS president and minister of energy, green technology and water, about it,” he said.