THE Sarawak government will continue to ensure the terms of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) are upheld as it remains an integral, binding and constitutionally protected part of the Federal Constitution.
Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Law, MA63 and Federal-State Relations) Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali said the MA63 is the foundational instrument that gave legal effect to the formation of the Federation of Malaysia.
Without the MA63, she said the federation itself has no constitutional basis to exist thus any suggestion to cancel or abolish the agreement is constitutionally untenable.
“Any statement made by any person on this matter (calling for the cancellation of the MA63) is merely personal opinions which carries no legal weight. It shows their ignorance of history, and it is also a blatant attack on the constitutional integrity of our Federation,” she said.
She was responding to Bukit Assek assemblyman Chieng Jin Ek during the question-and-answer session during the DUN sitting today.
Chieng had asked for the state government’s views on those questioning and criticising the MA63 with some going to the extent of calling for the cancellation of the agreement.
Following the recent amendment to Article 160 of the Federal Constitution, Sharifah Hasidah reiterated that the MA63 is an integral part of the Federal Constitution.
She said this statutory recognition further confirms that the rights and obligations arising from the MA63 form part of the supreme law of the Federation and cannot be removed by personal opinion or political rhetoric.
“These thoughtless actions and comments may be seditious as the effect of such actions and comments can lead to division and incite hatred among Malaysians. It is intended to divide the people of Malaysia and vilify those who work tirelessly to ensure the full implementation of the MA63.
“We should ignore these foul and noise voices especially from certain quarters and carry on with our effort of ensuring Malaysia remains united, harmonious and strong because a strong Sarawak is a strong Malaysia,” she added.
