KUCHING – Sabah welcomes the announcement by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim that all outstanding issues in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) have passed the discussion process and are now in the implementation stage.
“The only issue is on technicalities and we look forward to working with the federal government to ensure all our demands are fully resolved,” said Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
He said the Sabah government also welcomed the prime minister’s acknowledgment that Malaysia comprises three entities – Sabah, Sarawak, and peninsular Malaysia as stated in the MA63.
Hajiji said this after attending the historic MA63 Implementation Action Council meeting together with Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg and chaired by the prime minister at the Sarawak assembly building here today.
Accompanying the Sabah chief minister were Sabah Secretary Datuk Seri Safar Untong, state Attorney-General Datuk Nor Asiah Mohd Yusof, and state Finance Ministry Permanent Secretary Datuk Mohd Sofian Alfian Nair.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak Affairs and Special Functions) Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali were also present.
The prime minister’s announcement that the council has agreed with the formula on the special grant for Sabah and Sarawak under Article 112D of the federal constitution was also good news, Hajiji said.
During the meeting, Hajiji had asked the federal government to expedite the review of Article 112D pertaining to the state’s 40% revenue-sharing formula and special grant.
Hajiji has also stated that Sabah is maintaining its stand in rejecting the Territorial Sea Act 2012, which limits the state’s maritime boundary to only three nautical miles.
“The act has impeded Sabah’s ability to impose its own laws on matters beyond three nautical miles. For example, on cases involving (the state’s) sales tax and Sabah authorities’ power on immigration issues.
“Sabah opined that its sea boundary should be more than 200 nautical miles per the North Borneo (Alteration of Boundaries) Order in Council 1954,” he said.
On the handing over of electricity regulatory power to Sabah, Hajiji was grateful for the sensitivity of the prime minister in wanting to get it finalised by January 1, 2024.
On Sabah’s request for the construction of a customs, immigration, quarantine, and security facility as well as roads at the Malaysia-Indonesia borders in Bantul (Pensiangan) and Serudong (Kalabakan) to be given special consideration to take advantage of the shifting of Indonesia’s capital to Kalimantan, Anwar said an allocation of RM1 billion has been given to carry out initial works.
“The Sabah government has complete confidence and trust that under Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s leadership, Sabah’s MA63 demands will be resolved amicably soon.
“This is for the mutual benefit of both the state and federal governments in our efforts to bring progress and prosperity throughout the country for the people,” said Hajiji. – The Vibes, January 20, 2023
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