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Datuk Mustapha MakmudAdvertisement
By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, Oct 5: Thirteen of Sarawak’s 26 matters under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) have been settled, while five remain unresolved and another five have been elevated to the highest level for discussion between the Federal and State leaders.
Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak Affairs) Datuk Mustapha @ Mohd Yunus Sakmud said three other matters had been categorised as partially settled.
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“Briefly, of the 26 matters, 13 are settled, three are partially settled, five are unresolved, and five have been elevated to the highest level, namely discussions between the Prime Minister, Sarawak Premier and Sabah Chief Minister,” he said in a reply to Puncak Borneo MP Datuk Willie Mongin in Dewan Rakyat today.
Mustapha said the three matters newly categorised as settled during the Malaysia Agreement 1963 Implementation Action Council (MTPMA63) meeting on Sept 11 were Federal financial obligations under the Federal Constitution’s Ninth Schedule, List III (Concurrent List); additional public service posts for Sabah and Sarawak under Article 112; and the Borneonisation of the Federal public service in Sabah and Sarawak.
For education and health, he said both matters had been categorised as partially settled/interim.
Willie had asked the Prime Minister for an update on negotiations between the Federal and Sarawak governments on the implementation of Sarawak’s rights under MA63, particularly its regulatory powers over oil and gas, as well as when outstanding matters involving health, education and the 35 per cent parliamentary seat entitlement would be finalised.
On parliamentary representation, Mustapha said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had stated during the Sept 11 MTPMA63 meeting that there was justification to increase the ratio of parliamentary seats for Sabah and Sarawak.
However, he said further discussions involving the Legal Affairs Division of the Prime Minister’s Department (BHEUU) and the Election Commission (EC) would be required.
Meanwhile, five matters have been elevated for discussion at the highest level between the Prime Minister, Sarawak Premier and Sabah Chief Minister.
These include oil royalty and cash payments, mineral oils and oilfields, the Territorial Sea Act, stamp duty, and State rights over the continental shelf.
Mustapha said these matters would continue to be monitored by MTPMA63 and its Technical Committee.
On Willie’s call for a clear timeline, Mustapha said the Madani government was committed to expediting the resolution of all MA63 matters.
However, he said the timeframe for each claim remained subject to the relevant legal processes.
He added that the readiness of the Sabah and Sarawak governments in terms of operations, human resources and finances was also among the factors that needed to be considered before an MA63 claim could be resolved.
“The MADANI Government remains firm in its commitment to ensure the implementation of MA63 is realised prudently, inclusively and based on a strong spirit of the Federation,” he said.
He said the effort reflected the Prime Minister’s commitment to making MA63 a national narrative. — DayakDaily
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