KUALA LUMPUR – The special cabinet committee on the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (JKKKMA63), established by the former Pakatan Harapan administration, only managed to discuss major issues without any resolution, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak Affairs) Datuk Seri Maximus Ongkili.
After being questioned by five MPs, Ongkili (Kota Marudu-PBS) said in a parliamentary reply that the current government’s Special Council on Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MKMA63) has made more progress since.
“JKKKMA63 went on for less than two years and only managed to agree in principle to resolve outstanding MA63 issues and claims,” he said in his reply to the Kota Samarahan, Kuching, Lanang, and Sibu MPs.
“In fact, MKMA63 is discussing development funds for Sabah and Sarawak in the just-announced 12th Malaysia Plan.
“Four working committees have been set up under MKMA63, which are headed by senior federal ministers, on equal partnership, security, socio-economy, and special grants under Article 112D of the federal constitution.
“These working committees are dealing with issues pertaining to immigration and undocumented migrants, annual grants, the 40% rebate under Schedule 10, Article 112D of the federal constitution, the Sabah and Sarawak courts, poverty, and socioeconomic development, which were not dealt with by PH.
“These are issues that JKKKMA63 did not solve that required amendments to laws and regulations at both the federal and state levels, which also involve various ministries.
“These issues were finally scrutinised and discussed under MKMA63, which was set up on September 2, 2020. We have sat down twice and will be meeting again soon in October after the Parliament sitting.”
He added that the proposed amendment on Article 1(2) of the federal constitution, on the issue of equal status, will be further discussed by the Equal Status Working Committee before being tabled with MKMA63 to seek approval from the federal, Sabah, and Sarawak governments.
On another development, he said discussions on the four outstanding matters, namely oil royalties and cash payment for petroleum, oil minerals and oil fields, Territorial Sea Act 2012, and continental shelf rights are currently halted to make way for a commercial solution pertaining to the ongoing negotiations on oil and gas between the federal and East Malaysian governments.
In a statement later, Ongkili said the Equal Status Working Committee will also discuss the amendment on Article 160 (2) of the federal constitution on the interpretation of the word “federation”. – The Vibes, October 1, 2021
