Malaysia PM Anwar vows to work hard to fulfil demands of Sabah, Sarawak under MA63

SINGAPORE: Malaysia Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has vowed to work tirelessly in order to realise the success of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
Speaking in Kota Kinabalu on Monday (Sep 16) night at the 2024 National Malaysia Day celebration, Mr Anwar said that he – alongside his colleagues in the government as well as those who are in the technical committee overseeing the implementation of MA63 – are working hard to see the agreement come to fruition.
MA63 refers to the legal instrument signed in 1963 as the basis of the formation of the Federation of Malaysia. The agreement recognises Sabah and Sarawak not as mere states but as equal partners with West Malaysia.
On Monday, Mr Anwar paid tribute to the leaders of the two Borneo states even as he acknowledged that there are issues that need to be tackled, state news agency Bernama reported.
“Although I acknowledge that there are challenges we must address, I am fortunate that upon assuming the role of Prime Minister, my two trusted friends – the Chief Minister of Sabah and the Premier of Sarawak – have cooperated, communicated openly and provided constructive criticisms as friends,” Mr Anwar said, referring to Mr Hajiji Mohd Noor and Mr Abang Johari Openg respectively.
He added: “They have expressed their concerns and demands, but always in the spirit of collaboration to advance our beloved Malaysia. I hope other leaders will draw inspiration from the spirit they have demonstrated.”
Mr Anwar did not elaborate on the challenges that his government must address with regards to MA63.
At the same event, Sarawak Premier Mr Abang Johari – through his deputy – said that all matters related to MA63 can be resolved as long as the federal government and the two Borneo state governments can discuss them in the spirit of Malaysia Madani and mutual respect.
Malaysia Madani – or Civil Malaysia – is the slogan introduced by Mr Anwar at the start of his tenure as prime minister.
Meanwhile, Mr Hajiji – Sabah’s Chief Minister – expressed his gratitude to Mr Anwar and the federal government who have worked hard to defend Sabah’s rights and sovereignty in foreign courts.He further added that Sabah will continue to defend the sovereignty of the state as part of a territory in the Federation of Malaysia.
Last week, Deputy Prime Minister Fadillah Yusof said that 11 of the demands made by Sabah and Sarawak in relation to MA63 have been resolved.
They include the handover of regulatory power over gas supply, amending the Inland Revenue Board Act to appoint representatives of their state governments as permanent members of the board, and administration of the judiciary in the two states, among others.
Local media had previously reported that there were 29 demands that were under discussion.
Mr Fadillah – who hails from Sarawak and chairs the MA63 technical committee – said that seven of these demands were settled under Mr Anwar’s administration, three under the tenure of Mr Ismail Sabri Yaakob and one during the premiership of Muhyiddin Yassin.
He, however, added that there were still other matters that needed to be resolved, including state rights over continental shelves, oil royalty and cash payments for petroleum, stamp duty as well as the share of federal parliamentary seats among others.
Meanwhile, Mr Anwar on Sep 16 said that the federal government is determined to uplift the dignity of all states in Malaysia, especially those in rural, remote and poverty-stricken areas.
He expressed confidence that this can be achieved through collaboration, dialogue and teamwork between the federal and state governments, including those from Sabah and Sarawak.
“For Malaysia to succeed, whoever becomes prime minister, minister or leader must serve all Malaysians, regardless of the background,” Mr Anwar was quoted as saying by Bernama.
He further called on all Malaysians to celebrate her people’s international successes, irrespective of race, ethnicity or religion, citing the recent triumphs of its Paralympics athletes at the recently concluded Games in Paris.
“We do not question their origins, ethnicity or religion. We are simply proud that Malaysians have brought honour by winning medals at the Paris Paralympics. This is the spirit we want to cultivate among us,” Mr Anwar reportedly said.