IT’S a let-down if only seven issues have been resolved by the special committee to revisit MA63, as it was formed more than a year ago to deliberate the issues, said Sabah opposition leader Dr Jeffrey Kitingan. 

Sabahans are looking forward to good news this Merdeka from the prime minister on this front, he said.

“The steering committee on MA63 (Malaysia Agreement 1963) should have been focused on realising what are already in the federal constitution as they had become meaningless for the last 56 years.

“What are we hoping from the prime minister, of course, the good news on, payment of the 40% net revenue (or a portion thereof) due to Sabah as per Article 112c/112d of the constitution, payments of 10% import and 10% export duties on petroleum, 20% royalty on petroleum, the complementary role of Sabah on security and lastly, an education board for Sabah,” the Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku president told The Malaysian Insight.

On August 19, the Prime Minister’s Department said seven issues brought by the Sabah and Sarawak governments on MA63 had been resolved, while 14 more needing further deliberations. 

The resolved issues are export duty claims on logging exports and forest products; gas distribution and regulatory powers on electricity and gas; implementation of federal and state public works; manpower; health; administration of Pulau Sipadan and Pulau Ligitan in Sabah; and agriculture and forestry. 

Yesterday, Sabah Chief Minister Mohd Shafie Apdal said although there is still much to be done to realise the MA63 terms, the present government has already resolved some. 

He said this was better as “there were parties who previously promised us many things when they were the government but nothing happened”.

Realising these also reflects the committee’s usefulness and effectiveness of the Sabah representatives in the various committees formed for the purpose of MA63, Shafie said. 

When asked whether it will change his views and support for Pakatan Harapan if all the demands are met, Kitingan said: “Yes, why not?” – August 21, 2019.