Sarawak to push for greater autonomy in upcoming MA63 meeting

KUCHING: Sarawak is set to advance its development strategy as the MA63 Implementation Action Council focuses on key autonomy and administrative issues.

Deputy Minister in the Premier of Sarawak’s Department (Law, MA63, and State-Federal Relations) Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali said a meeting on the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) will be chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg in Kota Kinabalu.

“This meeting is focused on the special action council for MA63, and particularly pressing issues include autonomy, health autonomy, and administrative staffing issues, which will be addressed and resolved,” she said when speaking to the media at SMK Semerah Padi here on Wednesday (Sept 4).

Sharifah Hasidah noted that while Sarawak has been granted some authority over decisions and projects related to health and education, the state seeks even greater autonomy.

“We need more power and autonomy because we understand our situation in Sarawak better, and we know what we need for development,” she added.

However, she made it clear that certain matters, particularly those concerning the continental shelf and state maritime boundaries, are not up for negotiation.

“We will discuss health autonomy, education autonomy, and administrative issues, but the continental shelf and state maritime boundary issues are non-negotiable.

“This is a right under Sarawak’s state laws, and the Sarawak Land Code defines our land up to the continental shelf, 200 nautical miles into the sea; hence, this cannot be negotiated,” she stressed.