PUTRAJAYA will restore Sabah and Sarawak as equal partners of Peninsular Malaysia after a study of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) is completed, said Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

He said that the new Malaysia under the Pakatan Harapan government realised the erosion of Sabah and Sarawak’s status and rights under the previous Barisan Nasional administration, becoming additional two states in the federation of Malaysia instead of being equal partners.

“The New Malaysia and Pakatan Harapan government recognise this and will restore equal status to Sabah and Sarawak. This is part of the process that will be implemented once the study of MA63 is completed.

“The return of the original status for Sabah and Sarawak as stated in MA63 will give us a firm footing to have closer ties among all three territories,” he said in his speech to celebrate Malaysia Day 2018 at Padang Merdeka in Kota Kinabalu tonight.

The event was attended by thousands of people, including federal ministers, state leaders, political leaders and community leaders.

Putrajaya said earlier this month a Special Cabinet Committee on MA63 has been formed and a memorandum had been sent to various federal ministries as well as the Sabah and Sarawak governments for suggestions and feedback.

The high-powered committee was to review and propose measures to rectify the status of MA63 based on current legislation.

Restoring Sabah and Sarawak’s rights in accordance with MA63 was part of PH’s manifesto.

In his speech tonight, the prime minister also said there was a need to bring development to Sabah and Sarawak as there were still areas which were very poor and undeveloped.

“Without a spirit of unity, respect and tolerance, our union as a nation and a race will be eroded. All that we have achieved so far will be gone forever,” he said.

He also said Putrajaya will deliver its responsibilities in developing the infrastructure in Sabah and Sarawak, as per the wants and wishes of the people there.

At the same time he hoped leaders from Sabah and Sarawak would also understand that there is also a need for the federal government to develop places in the peninsula.

In his speech, Dr Mahathir also said this year’s Merdeka Day and Malaysia Day celebrations were special and historic, labelling it as the “merdeka and union of the territories for the second time”.

He was referring to the PH’s major victory in defeating Barisan Nasional in GE14.

Dr Mahathir’s visit to Sabah today was his first in five years. – September 16, 2018.