KOTA KINABALU – The state governments of Sabah and Sarawak, and the federal government, may disclose key matters that have been agreed on by all three parties under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) Special Council report.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak Affairs) Datuk Seri Maximus Ongkili said this to clarify earlier statements by the parties that there was no need to make the report public.
He said the current stand arose out of deliberations between the states and the federal government which have not yet been fully settled.
Ongkili said that 17 out of the 21 issues identified by the council had been considered in detail.
“Of the 17, three are considered solved, namely on timber export duties and forest products for Sabah; the issue of Sipadan and Ligitan Islands in Sabah; and forestry issues.
“The remaining 14 other points, which include gas, labour and stamp duties, need further deliberations as they involve amendments on laws and regulations,” he said.
The federal cabinet had on September 9 agreed to the formation of the Special Council on MA63. It was announced by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin during the Malaysia Day celebration in Sibu on September 16.
Meanwhile, Ongkili told the media that members of the special council had convened for its inaugural meeting today.
Describing the meeting objectives as fulfilled, Maximus said the terms of reference for the council were also endorsed during the meeting.
“The council also approved the formation of three committees which would be dealing with matters on constitution and equal status; security and issues of illegal migration; and socio-economic matters, including the implementation of the 12th Malaysia Plan.”
The council consists of Muhyiddin as chairman, Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor and his Sarawak counterpart Datuk Abang Johari Openg, and eight senior cabinet ministers including Ongkili as Secretary and assisted by his deputy Datuk Hanifah Hajar Taib.
Ongkili said also in the council are the chief secretary to the federal government, state secretaries of Sabah and Sarawak, the attorney-generals of both the federal and two east Malaysian states, as well as several senior civil servants and academics.
“Members were briefed on the latest development on the actions taken pertaining to MA63, as well as on the decisions made by the previous cabinet committee,” he said. – The Vibes, December 2, 2020
