AS of May, nine key issues related to the implementation of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) have been resolved between the Sarawak and Putrajaya, signalling steady progress in restoring the state’s constitutional rights.
Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Law, MA63 and State-Federal Relations) Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali said these resolved matters include the transfer of regulatory authority over liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to the Sarawak government through PETROS; amendments to Articles 1(2) and 161A of the Federal Constitution; and empowerment of the Sarawak Marine Fisheries Department and Ministry of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development to issue deep-sea fishing licences.
Other resolved matters include the formal recognition of Sarawak’s Public Works Department (JKR) and Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID); amendments to the Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia Act 1995 [Act 533]; the introduction of special guidelines to facilitate the return of reserved land; and amendments to the Sarawak Labour Ordinance (Cap.76).
Sharifah Hasidah also noted partial progress on the long-standing issue of financial entitlement under Article 112D of the Federal Constitution.
As an interim measure, the federal government has agreed to double Sarawak’s Special Grant from RM300 million to RM600 million annually for five years.
“Nevertheless, the Sarawak government strongly urges that negotiations on a fair and equitable Special Grant formula be expedited in the spirit of true partnership and recognition of Sarawak’s rights under the Federal Constitution and MA63,” she said in reply to Lidam Assan (GPS-Katibas) during the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting today.
Sharifah Hasidah assured that the Sarawak government will continue to engage with Putrajaya to ensure that all rights enshrined in MA63, the Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC) Report, and the Federal Constitution are fully respected and restored.
Responding to supplementary questions on current priorities, she said the state is focusing on two critical issues: finalising the Special Grant formula and securing an increase in the number of parliamentary seats for Sabah and Sarawak.
“These issues are regularly raised by the Sarawak government through official channels such as the MA63 Implementation Action Council (MTPMA63) meetings and dedicated Technical Committee platforms,” she said.
