MA63 shouldn’t be empty talk to woo Sarawakians, says Anwar

January 20, 2023

MA63 shouldn’t be empty talk to woo Sarawakians, says Anwar

PETALING JAYA: Issues revolving around the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) must be resolved and not treated as platitudes to win over Sarawakians or the state government, Anwar Ibrahim said.

Anwar said as the prime minister, it was his responsibility to ensure that these issues were resolved, Bernama reported.

“We need to try to resolve them earnestly and not just make political statements or promises to get support from Sarawak or GPS,” he was quoted as saying, referring to Gabungan Parti Sarawak, the ruling coalition.

Anwar also acknowledged the efforts of the previous administrations in dealing with MA63, adding that this included amending the constitution.

In December 2021, the Dewan Rakyat passed the constitutional amendments based on the MA63 by a bloc vote.

The bill, which was subsequently passed in the senate, seeks to list Sabah and Sarawak in the Federal Constitution as equal partners in forming the federation.

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There have also been past complaints about the lack of autonomy in the two states, with both claiming federal authority to be overbearing. There had also been unhappiness over the “slow” pace of development in both states.

In his speech tonight, Anwar admitted that when it came to development, especially in the interiors of East Malaysia, there were “tasks that we have not completed well”.

“I am saddened when I hear the complaints from Sarawak and Sabah or the minorities who feel that they are left out of the mainstream of development.

“This is not right, so we must treat (this situation).”

Anwar began a two-day working visit to Sarawak today, his first since taking office in November.

He is scheduled to attend the MA63 Implementation Action Council meeting tomorrow, which will also be attended by Sarawak premier Abang Johari Openg and Sabah chief minister Hajiji Noor.