DR Mahathir Mohamad today reminded Malaysians about the struggle to form Malaysia as the country celebrated its 57th year of existence.

“We went through a lot together. We have come a long way. Singapore had left but the integrity of the relationship between Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah and Sarawak remains strong,” said the former prime minister.

In a large multiracial country, there are times when dissatisfaction arises and it must be resolved so that the relationship among the races remain harmonious, said the Langkawi MP.

“Therefore, we support the request for the Malaysia Agreement 1963 or what we know as the MA 63. 

“We accept that the Malay peninsula, Sabah and Sarawak are three areas that have merged and are as equal partners,” he said in a video posted on his Facebook page and YouTube.

MA63 has in recent years become a focal point of dissent among leaders from Sabah and Sarawak who have been locked with the federal government over the implementation of rights provided under the deal for these states.

In July, Mohd Shafie Apdal, the current Sabah caretaker chief minister, urged the government to continue implementing the 21 issues raised by Sabah and Sarawak at the special cabinet committee meeting to review the implementation of MA63. 

Shafie said 17 of the 21 issues were agreed upon by Putrajaya, and Sabah and Sarawak.

“The Pakatan Harapan government had approved 17 of the 21 issues. Those remaining are oil royalty issues and petroleum cash payments; oil minerals and oil fields; the Territorial Sea Act 2012 (Act 750); and state rights over the continental shelf.

“I hope the issues can be resolved. The government today can continue because we want to build the nation. Don’t debate race and religion because they will not be beneficial,” Shafie said. 

Last week, Entrepreneur and Cooperative Development Minister Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said Putrajaya will set up a new committee to review the MA 63 agreement. 

The decision was made by the cabinet that this new committee is to replace the PH’s. 

Dr Mahathir said the formation of Malaysia was struggle, which met with a lot of resistance.

“I remember the announcement of former prime minister Tunku Abdul Rahman at the Merdeka Stadium on the morning of September 16, 1963. I was 38 years old at the time.

“My feelings at that time were mixed. Proud, because the Federation of Malaya, North Borneo will later be known as Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore will be merged to form a large country Malaysia.

“I was also anxious as the formation met with considerable opposition from some neighbouring countries.”

Since then, Dr Mahathir said he is confident that if all Malaysians can live and implement the spirit and agreement that has been signed before, they then can resolve all issues. – September 16, 2020.