KOTA KINABALU – The resolutions and outcomes of the work carried out by four working committees under the Special Council on Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) will be presented this Thursday, said Sabah and Sarawak Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Maximus Ongkili today.
The meeting will be chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob and the chief ministers of Sabah and Sarawak, Datuk Seri Hajiji Md Noor and Datuk Abang Johari Openg, respectively.
“Under the Pakatan Harapan government, the special cabinet committee on reviewing the implementation of MA63 focused only on issues of rights, safeguards and other legal aspects of MA63.
“Under the Perikatan Nasional government, the government terms of reference of the MA63 are all-encompassing, covers legal rights and safeguards; financial legal commitments and conditions; security and border controls of Sabah and Sarawak; safeguards; illegal immigrants, illegal immigration and foreign intrusion; as well as socio-economic development,” he said.
The Kota Marudu MP said this after concluding discussions with Home Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin following a meeting of the Security Working Committee, one of the four working committees on MA63.
Ongkili said the rights and safeguards of Sabah and Sarawak have been thoroughly discussed by the special council and four working committees.
He said the discussions covered state rights, safeguards, socio-economic development, financial and legal obligations and conditions, undocumented migrants, immigration, security and border controls.
On security, the Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) president said security issues faced by Sabah and Sarawak were also raised for the security agencies to address.
“The committee also discussed papers on citizenship problems faced by indigenous people who remain undocumented in Sabah and Sarawak.” – The Vibes, October 12, 2021
