MA63 rights: Follow rule of law, says Yap

KUCHING: The federal government needs to have a good understanding of the law and carry out a comprehensive study regarding the rights of Sarawak and Sabah based on the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).

Kota Sentosa assemblyman Wilfred Yap said this is important because provisions under MA63 must be implemented effectively, especially the recommendations related to the Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC).

Because of that, he said, the leaders of the federal government must accept the matter well because the two states are only demanding the rights that should be given to them.

“The federal government must follow the rule of law and a comprehensive study of constitutional, legal, financial and political documents must be carried out properly.

“What is important is that the provisions of MA63 must be implemented effectively, especially the proposals related to IGC,” he said.

He said in his talk titled State and Federal Laws during the Borneo States Symposium ‘Realising the Dreams and Visions of the People of Borneo States’ at the Borneo Cultural Museum (BCM) here Saturday.

He added that before the matter can be achieved the Sarawak government and the federal government need to identify the areas of jurisdiction that should be returned to the state or remain under federal control.

“One of the ways to do it systematically is through the formation of the Inter-Federal-State Relations Committee to monitor the implementation of federal and state policies thus ensuring that the department’s responsibilities at both levels do not overlap.

“Any attempt to re-examine MA63 must be done with the aim of restructuring the Federation of Malaysia where the states are empowered to make their own decisions according to their uniqueness and needs,” he said.

He emphasised that the formation of the MA63 Cabinet Special Committee is also very important in ensuring the scope to see the devolution of federal powers to Sarawak and Sabah.