Mustapha: Madani govt reaffirms commitment to MA63 with dedicated minister, dashboard

KOTA KINABALU (Feb 10): The Madani government has reaffirmed its commitment to resolving all matters related to the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) through the re-establishment of the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak) position, said the minister, Datuk Mustapha Sakmud.

He said the move aims to strengthen oversight and monitoring of MA63 implementation.

In a written reply to a supplementary oral question raised by Datuk Seri Panglima Madius Tangau (Upko – Tuaran) in the Dewan Rakyat on Monday, Mustapha said all MA63 matters raised by the Sabah and Sarawak state governments have been discussed through the MA63 Implementation Action Council (MTPMA63) and its technical committee, chaired by the Prime Minister.

Madius had sought clarification on the functions, roles, responsibilities, and duties of the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak), as well as the mandate of the Sabah and Sarawak Affairs Division (BHESS) under the Prime Minister’s Department.

“With the existence of this portfolio, MA63 matters that have been agreed upon will be monitored for implementation, while issues still under negotiation will continue to be tracked in terms of discussions with relevant ministries and agencies,” said Mustapha.

The Sepanggar MP added that he has direct responsibility over the Sabah and Sarawak Affairs Division, which serves as the Secretariat to MTPMA63 and its technical committee.

He noted that the scope of additional duties for this portfolio will be updated once the Ministerial Orders under the Ministerial Functions Act 1969 are gazetted.

In a related development, Mustapha said the government has also developed the MA63 Implementation Status Dashboard, which was launched on January 28.

“The dashboard will be integrated online through the official BHESS portal, allowing stakeholders to access accurate, real-time information and serving as a central platform to monitor MA63 implementation.

“The Madani government will continue to ensure that the implementation of MA63 is carried out prudently, inclusively, and in the spirit of the Malaysia Federation, to strengthen the position of Sabah and Sarawak in nation-building,” he said.