Honour MA63 without further delay: Minos

KUCHING: Putrajaya should fully honour the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and restore Sarawak’s rights and entitlements without further delay, as continued procrastination could become a major political issue.
 
Speaking on the long-standing negotiations over MA63, political analyst Datuk Peter Minos said Sarawakians have waited patiently for nearly a decade since formal discussions began in 2016, but many are now growing increasingly frustrated over the slow pace of progress.
 
“If the MA63 is not resolved by December this year, it will definitely become a big political issue — one against Kuala Lumpur in the coming state election. I’m sure of this,” he said.
 
According to Minos, the federal unity government is already facing significant political challenges following the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition’s poor performances in the recent Johor, Negeri Sembilan and Sabah elections.
 
He said Putrajaya should avoid creating another point of contention with Sarawak, particularly when relations with Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) remain crucial to national political stability.
 
Minos also pointed to the Democratic Action Party’s (DAP) national delegates’ congress scheduled for Aug 16, where members are expected to decide whether the party should continue supporting the PH-led federal government.
 
“If DAP decides to leave the coalition, there is a possibility of a snap general election. Under such circumstances, can the federal government afford to antagonise GPS?” he asked.
 
He stressed that Sarawak has consistently maintained that all outstanding rights and entitlements under MA63 should be restored by December this year.
 
“Sarawakians are asking what is so difficult about returning the rights that already belong to Sarawak. Why has the process dragged on for 10 years?” he said.
 
Minos warned that if Putrajaya continued to delay implementation through bureaucratic processes beyond the year-end deadline, public dissatisfaction in Sarawak would likely intensify.
 
“There is no need for bad feelings between Sarawak and the federal governments. It is best that Kuala Lumpur honours Sarawak’s legitimate rights as soon as possible, even though time is running short,” he said.
 
With the Sarawak state election widely expected later this year, Minos said resolving the remaining MA63 issues promptly would help strengthen federal-state relations and address growing public expectations.
 
In the meantime, he called on Sarawakians to remain united in supporting GPS’s efforts to pursue the state’s constitutional rights under MA63.
 
“The wait has been too long. It is getting into Sarawakians’ nerves,” he added.