KUALA LUMPUR: Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim today (Jan 19) called on Members of Parliament to return to the original spirit of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and cautioned against actions that could create tension between East and West Malaysia.
He said MA63 laid the foundation for Malaysia’s formation by uniting Malaya, Sabah and Sarawak into a single federation.
“We should return to the original intent of our country’s formation, which is unity, mutual respect, and close cooperation between the states and the federal government,” he was quoted as saying by FMT during the opening of the 2026 parliamentary session.
Sultan Ibrahim stressed that differences between the regions should be resolved in a mature manner, without hatred or suspicion, and that the rights of the Bornean states must be respected, while prioritising the country’s shared interests.
He also reminded MPs that every debate and vote in the Dewan Rakyat would shape the nation’s future, urging them to perform their duties wisely and responsibly for all citizens.
The unity government has set up a MA63 implementation action council to resolve several matters and demands under the agreement.
Last month, its chairman, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Amar Fadillah Yusof, said 19 items had been resolved, including the handover of Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd to the state government and the transfer of regulatory power over Sabah’s gas supply from Petronas.
Putrajaya is also reviewing Sabah’s claim to 40 per cent of revenue derived from the state, alongside Sarawak’s requests for greater autonomy in health and education.
