SIBU, Sept. 16 -- Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg has made his strongest call yet on the federal government to restore the rights and powers of Sabah and Sarawak in line with the fundamentals of the country's formation.

He believed that by returning to the fundamentals in the Federal Constitution, the Malaysia Agreement 1963 and the Inter-Governmental Committee Report, the spirit of nationhood in Malaysia would be strengthened and not weakened.

"Believe me, labelling especially Sarawak as being parochial or territorial will not help unite this country.

"Sarawak and Sabah certainly want their powers which have been eroded intentionally or otherwise, to be returned. That is all, nothing more and nothing less," Johari...