KUCHING : Deputy Chief Minister, Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr. James Jemut Masing wondered what was the study on MA63 that Prime Minister, Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad wanted to do before reverting the status of Sarawak and Sabah, which were equal partners in the formation of Malaysia, to the original position.
“What study? MA63 was a UN chartered Agreement out of which the formation of Malaysia as a Federation was established. Let the three signatories (Malaya, Sarawak and Sabah) audit whether there has been any breach of MA63. If there is, then the three signatories will decide whether it is serious enough to nullify the agreement,” said Masing.
He added that the so-called study, as proposed by the Prime Minister, would delay the process of returning the status of Sabah and Sarawak to the original position.
The Prime Minister has said during his visit to Sabah that the status of Sabah and Sarawak as equal partners in the nation would be restored under the New Malaysia and Pakatan Harapan federal government.
He said this was part of the process that would be implemented once the review on the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) was completed.
He added that in the past, Sabah, Sarawak, Singapore and the Federation of Malaya had agreed to form a bigger family called Malaysia but it had gone through a winding course since then and two years after its formation, Singapore exited. Thus there was also a change in the status of Sabah and Sarawak from equal partners to states within Malaysia.
