SABAH Chief Minister Mohd Shafie Apdal has dismissed calls to set up a parliamentary select committee to discuss the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63). 

The Semporna MP said there is no need for a select committee to reinstate the rights of the Bornean states in stages. 

“Our forefathers signed on this one fundamental issue. We don’t want to wait another 55 years,” he told the Dewan Rakyat during today’s debate on the amendment of Article 1(2) of the Federal Constitution. 

Currently, Sabah and Sarawak are listed as two of the 13 states of Malaysia.

The amendment seeks to restore the status of Sabah and Sarawak by distinguishing the positions of the two from the other 11 states.

But Sabah and Sarawak opposition MPs say this is not enough and want more amendments to accompany Article 1(2) amendment.

Along with Barisan Nasional, the MPs want to delay the amendment by referring it to a select committee.

Shafie brushed aside a comment by Umno secretary-general Annuar Musa that the restoring the MA63 is a complicated matter and should be investigated further via select committees and be amended as a “package”.

“It may look simple (the amendment) but it legitimises Sabah and Sarawak (as equal partners). We state that. It’s not just intonation. This is the time to execute the fundamentals.” – April 9, 2019