MA63 rights must remain a national agenda, says Abang Johari

KUCHING: The rights and special provisions accorded to Sabah and Sarawak must be recognised as part of Malaysia’s national agenda in keeping with the spirit of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), says Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.

He said this included the federal government’s commitments on parliamentary representation, revenue sharing and greater cooperation in areas such as tourism.

Abang Johari welcomed Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s recent assurance that the Unity Government would remain committed to ensuring development in the country, which was planned more equitably by taking into account the potential of Sarawak and Sabah.

He also welcomed the Prime Minister’s statement at the MA63 meeting in Kota Kinabalu a few days ago that efforts to strengthen MA63 would be implemented as a national commitment.

“I would like to express my thanks to the prime minister who has stated the agreement of the federal government to establish the ratio of Parliamentary representation of Sarawak and Sabah at not less than one-third as stipulated in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 and the IGC Report,” he said.

He said this in his speech during the Malaysia Day 2026 celebration held at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here tonight (Sept 16).

On revenue sharing, Abang Johari, on behalf of the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) Government, thanked the Prime Minister and the Unity Government for agreeing to determine a formula for revenue sharing between the federal government and Sarawak as provided under Article 112(D) of the Federal Constitution.

He also expressed appreciation for the federal government’s agreement to place tourism under the Concurrent List under the Ninth Schedule of the Federal Constitution.

“This step will open up room for collaboration and stronger cooperation between the federal government and the Sarawak government to develop the tourism sector — a new field that emerged after the formation of Malaysia, namely a residual subject under the Constitution,” he said.

Abang Johari said Sarawak’s leaders had agreed to establish Malaysia in 1963 because they believed the federation would provide an opportunity for Sarawak to catch up with Malaya, which was more developed at the time.

He said 63 years after being part of the Malaysian federation, the people of Sarawak continued to hold on to the aspirations of the state’s founding leaders who helped establish Malaysia alongside leaders from Malaya and Sabah.

“I am confident that an approach which takes into account the interests of the development of all regions comprehensively and more seriously, the unity of the people of this country will become stronger because they will feel respected, appreciated and given the attention they rightfully deserve,” he said.