KUCHING: Next week’s technical meeting under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 Implementation Action Council will not address matters which are now before the Federal Court.
In stating this, Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister, Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the petition filed by the Sarawak government in the Federal Court over the constitutional validity and continued applicability of certain federal laws in the state was now awaiting judicial determination.
“The entire petition is to obtain legal clarification and confirmation on the status of three federal Acts which are the Petroleum Development Act 1974, the Continental Shelf Act 1966, and the Petroleum Minig Act 1966,” he told reporters after officiating the Saberkas Bubur Lambuk Roadshow 2026 at i-Cats University College on Tuesday (Feb 24).
According to Abdul Karim, the petition touches on issues of natural resources, jurisdiction and state boundaries.
“The Malaysia Agreement 1963 Implementation Action Council (MTPMA63) meeting on March 2 is not related to the court case,” he said.
He explained that discussions between the Sarawak and Federal governments under MTPMA63 would instead focus on other outstanding matters under MA63, including tourism and land issues.
“There are claims that have already been successfully resolved, while others are additional matters that have yet to be finalised.
“Among the issues to be discussed are tourism and land that was handed over to the Federal government but not developed within five years, so it can be returned to the Sarawak government,” he said.
Meanwhile, Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Department (Law, MA63 and State-Federal Relations) Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali said all issues raised under MTPMA63 are important and remain a priority for the Sarawak government.
“This includes the formula for allocation to Sarawak under Article 112D of the Federal Constitution, education matters and Sarawak’s representation in Parliament,” she said.
The Sarawak government filed the petition to seek a determination from the Federal Court on whether these Acts apply to Sarawak.
The federal laws in question are said to affect and potentially deny Sarawak’s rights over natural resources, including oil and gas located on the seabed of the continental shelf within boundaries defined under the Sarawak (Alteration of Boundaries) Order in Council 1954 and the Sarawak (Definition of Boundaries) Order in Council 1958.
