SIBU: Sarawak’s younger generation must understand the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) to safeguard the state’s constitutional rights and continue efforts to reclaim powers guaranteed under the founding agreement of Malaysia.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said knowledge of MA63 is essential, stressing that Sarawakians cannot defend their rights without first understanding the agreement.
“To defend Sarawak’s rights, Sarawakians born after the formation of Malaysia must know the Malaysia Agreement. Otherwise, you cannot fight. If you do not know it, how can you defend your rights?” he said during a question-and-answer session held in conjunction with the Sarawak Day Town Hall here today (July 22).
Abang Johari said Malaysia was established as a federation comprising Sabah, Sarawak, Singapore and the then Federation of Malaya, with safeguards put in place to protect the interests and autonomy of the Borneo territories.
He said these safeguards were incorporated into the Federal Constitution following recommendations from the Cobbold Commission and subsequently formed the basis of the Malaysia Agreement 1963.
However, he said that over time, some of the rights and powers envisioned under MA63 had gradually eroded, prompting Sarawak’s leaders to pursue the restoration of those rights through the devolution of powers from the federal government.
Citing the Bintulu Port as an example, he said the port was originally a state matter under the Constitution but had been placed under federal administration in the late 1970s to facilitate the development of the liquefied natural gas (LNG) industry when Sarawak lacked the financial capacity to build the port.
“Today, Sarawak has the financial strength to take it back. We negotiated with the federal government based on the Constitution, agreed to pay for the assets that had been developed, and Bintulu Port now belongs to Sarawak again,” he said.
He added that the recovery of Bintulu Port was only one example, with several other matters still being negotiated as part of Sarawak’s ongoing efforts to regain powers under MA63.
Abang Johari also urged young people to study the agreement carefully, saying every provision carried legal significance and should be understood in its proper context.
“Read the Malaysia Agreement. Analyse every sentence because there are hidden meanings, especially from a legal perspective,” he said.
He also called on institutions such as Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) and Universiti Malaya to incorporate MA63 more extensively into their law programmes so that future lawyers and public servants would have a stronger understanding of the agreement.
He said greater awareness should not be limited to Sarawakians, but extended to all Malaysians, including federal officers involved in policy and negotiations.
“All Malaysians must understand what the Malaysia Agreement is and what is contained in it. Sometimes negotiations become difficult because there are people who still do not fully understand MA63,” he said.
He also encouraged young Sarawakians to conduct their own research on MA63 through reliable sources, saying an informed generation would be the state’s strongest safeguard.
“Once you know the Malaysia Agreement, Sarawak is safe in your hands. The responsibility of defending Sarawak’s rights under MA63 will continue with your generation,” he said.
