Fadillah: Madani govt committed to honouring MA63

KUALA LUMPUR: The Dewan Rakyat’s approval of two bills related to Bintulu Port yesterday highlights the Madani government’s commitment to honour the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.

The bills in question are the Declaration of an Area in the Bintulu District to be a Federal Port (Repeal) Bill 2024 and the Bintulu Port Authority (Dissolution) Bill 2024.

He said the passage of these bills is also in line with the Ports Authorities Ordinance 1961, which mandates all ports in Sarawak to be governed by the state government.

Three committees will be formed to continue the negotiation process, namely the technical committee at the officer level, the working committee, and the special committee.

“These committees will refine matters related to human resources, assets, and finances before they are gazetted,” he said in a statement.

Fadillah, who is the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) chief whip, said the effective date for these changes will be announced by the relevant minister through a notification in the official gazette.

This date will be set following comprehensive evaluations, discussions, and negotiations between the federal and the state government.

He said the deliberations will cover legal aspects, port operations, financial implications, and human resource considerations, with the goal of reaching mutual agreement.

“The entire process is expected to be over within this year,” he added.

Fadillah expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Transport Minister Anthony Loke, Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, and everyone involved in the negotiations, who responded to the Sarawak government’s request to reassert its jurisdiction over its ports.