Sabah and Sarawak CMs meet, have common goals over Malaysian Agreement 1963

KUCHING: Sabah and Sarawak are on the same page when it comes to demanding the return of state rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).

Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal said both states shared a common interest in wanting to see MA63 fulfilled.

"This is because the signing of the Agreement was done by both regions of Sabah and Sarawak along with Peninsular Malaysia.

"To realise (the Agreement), we have to be together to ensure that our voices are not singing a different song," he told reporters after paying a courtesy call on Sarawak Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg at the State Legislative Assembly complex here on Thursday (Oct 11).

Shafie said restoring state rights under MA63 was important for the benefit of Sabahans and Sarawakians as well as the nation at large.

"I think it's high time for us to realise that when there are demands coming from Sabah and Sarawak, it doesn't mean we don't love Malaysia.

"We love Malaysia but what is due (to us), what has been agreed on by our forefathers, we have to fulfil that," he said.

Abang Johari concurred that Sarawak and Sabah were in agreement with regard to MA63.

"We are on the same page. After all, we are talking about Sabah and Sarawak under MA63," he said.

Also discussed during the courtesy call were potential areas of collaboration between Sabah and Sarawak, such as developing an automotive industry and supply of electricity.

Shafie said Tan Chong Motor Holdings Bhd had identified a site in the Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park for a car assembly plant.

"We can look into this, perhaps there are some parts that can be manufactured in Sarawak by SMEs.

"So the spillover will not only benefit Sabah, but we want to share also with our neighbouring state Sarawak," he said.

Meanwhile Abang Johari said Sarawak could supply electricity to Sabah if needed as the state had several hydroelectric plants.

"This is something we can discuss together and work out the details later," he said.