THE Sarawak government continues to make positive progress in its efforts to restore and strengthen its rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), with 11 major claims successfully resolved to date.
Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Department (Law, MA63 and Federal-State Relations) Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali said these achievements are the result of continuous negotiations between the state and federal governments through official platforms, including the MA63 Implementation Action Council (MTPMA63).
“Among the key matters that have been successfully resolved are the transfer of regulatory power over liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to the Sarawak government through PETROS, and the amendment to Article 1(2) of the Federal Constitution, which restores the status of Sarawak and Sabah as equal partners in the formation of Malaysia in line with MA63.
“In addition, amendments to the definition of the ‘federation’ under Article 160(2) of the Federal Constitution now constitutionally include the Malaysia Agreement 1963 and related instruments such as the Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC) Report as part of the Federal Constitution,” she said.
She was responding to Bukit Assek assemblyman Chieng Jin Ek during question-and-answer session in the DUN sitting today.
She also said several matters have been agreed upon at the policy level and are now moving towards the final stage of implementation.
However, she noted that some major issues still require further negotiations between the state and federal governments.
“These include the proposal to increase the number of Members of Parliament from Sabah and Sarawak in the Dewan Rakyat, as well as the proposal to transfer Item 25A (Tourism) from List I (Federal) to List III (Concurrent), in the Ninth Schedule of the Federal Constitution,” she said.
