KOTA KINABALU – The Gabungan Rakyat Sabah government will keep its word on fulfilling all the demands set out under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), said Datuk Seri Hajiji Mohd Noor.
The chief minister’s assurance comes after a virtual meeting on MA63 chaired by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin yesterday.
Discussions on state rights are ongoing, said Hajiji, adding that both the federal and state governments are committed to resolving thorny issues.
“This matter should not be sensationalised as we have already expressed our views and stand, and Putrajaya has given us a positive response.
“We also took note that the prime minister openly gave his commitment and assurance to (meet) the state’s demands.”
On April 7, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak Affairs) Datuk Seri Maximus Ongkili said a Special Council on MA63 (MKMA63) meeting would be held.
He said talks on the two states’ financial demands under MA63 are moving according to plan.
“The Joint Consultative Review Committee has been established, focusing on reviewing the special grant and 40% reimbursable provisions for Sabah as per Article 112(D) of the federal constitution.
“The committee will be tasked with reviewing the legal provisions on financial matters stipulated under the federal constitution and MA63, as well as scrutinising the calculations and payments of the annual grant and other grants as stipulated under MA63, including previous payouts.
“The committee is also entrusted with coming up with resolutions for the annual grant payment demanded by both Sabah and Sarawak, as set under MKMA63.”
The Sabah team is headed by state Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun, and comprises state Secretary Datuk Seri Safar Untong, state Attorney-General Datuk Nor Asiah Mohd Yusof and state Finance Ministry Permanent Secretary Rusdin Riman.
The Sarawak team is led by Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Awang Tengah Ali Hassan, with state Attorney-General Datuk Talat Mahmood Abdul Rashid and state Finance Ministry Secretary Datuk Ahmad Tarmizi Sulaiman as members.
The team from the federal Finance Ministry is headed by Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, and includes several top officials from his office. – The Vibes, April 14, 2021
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