MADANI Government Resolves Nine Claims Relating to Malaysia Agreement 1963
Deputy Prime Minister Fadillah Yusof Announces Successful Resolutions
The MADANI government has successfully resolved nine claims related to the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), to date, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof. Fadillah, who is also the Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation, made the announcement in a statement.
Key Resolutions
The resolution included the recognition of the Public Works Department (JKR) and the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) of Sabah and Sarawak as Technical Departments under Treasury Instruction 182 (AP182). Additionally, the resolution involved amending the Inland Revenue Board (IRB) Act 1995 to appoint representatives of the Sabah and Sarawak state governments as permanent members of IRB.
Other matters resolved were the handover of power to regulate gas supply in Sabah; the administration of the judiciary in Sabah and Sarawak; and the preparation of special guidelines for the resumption of land reserved for federal purposes in Sabah and Sarawak, according to Fadillah.
Progress in Implementing MA63
Fadillah also announced that the MADANI government had completed the transfer of electricity regulatory powers to the Sabah state government, as well as the proposed amendment to Article 95B of the Federal Constitution regarding the modification for Sabah and Sarawak regarding the division of legislative powers.
The government has also successfully completed the conversion of the status of Bintulu port from a federal port to a state port, in addition to the labor force in Sabah and Sarawak. Furthermore, the special interim grant to Sabah and Sarawak has been doubled to RM600 million each starting this year.
Next Steps
Regarding today’s meeting, Fadillah emphasized the importance of enabling the government to plan pragmatic follow-up actions regarding the status of matters or demands under MA63 that have not been implemented. He said that the meeting was in line with the decision of Meeting (MTPMA63) Number 1 of 2024 chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on September 12.
Discussion and Decision-Making Process
The meeting also discussed six presentation papers from several relevant ministries/departments, including the status of actions for matters under the Ministry of Finance as well as the report of the Working Committee Meeting on the Sabah and Sarawak State civil service. Additionally, the proposed amendment of item 25A (Tourism) in List I (Federal) of the ninth schedule of the Federal Constitution to List III (Joint) of the ninth schedule of the Federal Constitution was discussed. The development of the Sabah-Sarawak-Kalimantan border area, the report of the Sabah and Sarawak Health Development Joint Action Committee Meeting, and the report of the Sabah and Sarawak Education Development Joint Action Committee Meeting were also discussed.
Conclusion
All decisions agreed upon today will be brought to the next meeting for consideration and agreement. Meanwhile, other matters or claims related to MA63 which are still pending will continue to be discussed and monitored by the Technical Committee under MTPMA63, said Fadillah.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are the key resolutions related to the Malaysia Agreement 1963?
A: The key resolutions include the recognition of the Public Works Department and the Department of Irrigation and Drainage of Sabah and Sarawak as Technical Departments under Treasury Instruction 182 (AP182), and the amending of the Inland Revenue Board Act 1995 to appoint representatives of the Sabah and Sarawak state governments as permanent members of IRB.
Q: What are the next steps for implementing the Malaysia Agreement 1963?
A: The government will continue to plan pragmatic follow-up actions regarding the status of matters or demands under MA63 that have not been implemented, and will discuss and monitor the remaining matters or claims related to MA63 through the Technical Committee under MTPMA63.