PRS Youth: Open discussion on MA63 essential to uphold founding agreement

KUCHING (Feb 1): Ensuring the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) is properly understood, respected, and implemented requires open discussion, said Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) Youth chief Christopher Gira.

Gira said MA63 is the foundation of Malaysia’s formation, not a peripheral issue or political rhetoric.

“Open discussion on MA63, including by cabinet ministers and Members of Parliament is part of the responsibility to ensure that this agreement is understood, respected, and fulfilled.

“Therefore, PRS Youth does not agree with the view expressed by Dr Abdul Aziz Bari suggesting that (Works Minister) Dato Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi should resign following remarks made during a radio interview.

“The comments expressed by Alexander Nanta Linggi must be viewed within the spirit of MA63 — a Malaysia founded on the principles of partnership, mutual respect, and federal–state autonomy, not political uniformity or coercion. His remarks reflected concern over national unity, not a rejection of Malaysia nor any cabinet policy,” he said in a statement.

Gira added that PRS Youth rejects narrow interpretations that seek to portray MA63 as a subject that cannot be discussed openly or honestly.

“MA63 has been incorporated into the Federal Constitution; therefore, discussing it publicly is not a breach of discipline, but an effort to strengthen constitutional understanding and relations among the founding regions of Malaysia,” he said.

Gira further said that if Malaysia truly aspires to progress as a fair and mature federation, Sarawak’s voice on MA63 must not be silenced under the guise of convention, especially when the issues raised concern the rights, status, and future of the founding states of Malaysia.

In this context, he said PRS Youth stands firmly in support of the views and concerns expressed by Nanta on MA63, stressing that affirming the agreement should not be seen as divisive.

“Affirming MA63 is not a threat to unity; ignoring it is what weakens Malaysia. True unity exists only when the founding agreement is respected and fully implemented,” he said.

The statement was issued following remarks by constitutional expert Dr Abdul Aziz Bari, who had urged Nanta to resign over what he described as a breach of cabinet responsibility after a radio interview, as reported by Scoop on Jan 31.