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MA63: 13 of 29 Demands by Sabah and Sarawak Successfully Resolved

KUALA LUMPUR, August 15 – The government is committed to expediting the resolution of all outstanding claims under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.

A total of 29 demands have been submitted by the State Governments of Sabah and Sarawak under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) negotiation platform, known as the Implementation Action Council for MA63 (MTPMA63), chaired by the Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, he said in a parliamentary written reply to a question from Vivian Wong (PH-Sandakan).

As of now, 13 demands have been fully resolved, with 9 of them achieved under the current MADANI Government and 4 during the previous administration.

These include:

  • Recognition of the Public Works Department (JKR) and the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (JPS) in Sabah and Sarawak as Technical Departments under Treasury Instruction 182 (AP182);
  • Amendment of the Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia Act 1995 to appoint representatives from the Sabah and Sarawak State Governments as permanent members of the IRB;
  • Devolution of regulatory power over gas supply to the Sabah State Government;
  • Administration of the judiciary in Sabah and Sarawak;
  • Issuance of guidelines for the return of reserved lands for Federal purposes in Sabah and Sarawak;
  • Transfer of regulatory authority over electricity to the Sabah State Government.
  • Proposed amendment to Article 95B of the Federal Constitution to allow modification of legislative powers for Sabah and Sarawak;
  • Change of Bintulu Port’s status from a Federal Port to a State Port; and
  • Labour matters in Sabah and Sarawak: Amendments to the Sabah Labour Ordinance and the Sarawak Labour Ordinance.

Of the remaining 16 demands:

  • 1 has been resolved on an interim basis,
  • 2 have reached policy-level decisions,
  • 8 are still under discussion, and
  • 5 are currently being referred to the highest level for deliberation or decision.

The MADANI Government remains fully committed to expediting the resolution of all outstanding MA63 demands.

However, the timeframe for resolving each demand is subject to relevant legal processes.

Additionally, the operational readiness, human resource capacity, and financial preparedness of the Sabah and Sarawak State Governments must be taken into account before a demand can be fully implemented.

All unresolved MA63 matters will continue to be closely monitored by the Sabah and Sarawak Affairs Division (BHESS) under the Prime Minister’s Department, which serves as the Secretariat for MTPMA63 and its Technical Committee, in coordination with all stakeholders at the Federal level and the respective State Governments.

 

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