Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Sabah and Sarawak Affairs) Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili addressing the crowd in Labuan on Saturday.
KOTA KINABALU: A supplementary deal is possible to incorporate unfulfilled promises of Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), says Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Sabah and Sarawak Affairs) Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili.
He said this is something that should be considered and sought by the Special Council on MA63 (MKMA63), instead of a "new Malaysia agreement".
He relayed this during a dialogue with the Labuan Chinese Chambers and Commerce and the Labuan Kadazandusun Chambers and Industries in Labuan on Saturday (July 9), in response to the pursuit for a "new deal for Sarabah" (Sabah and Sarawak) as termed by some.
"A supplementary deal is possible, which culminates what the Special Council has been addressing in the last two years.
"It could incorporate all the non compliance and unfulfilled promises that have been recognised and endorsed by the MKMA63.
"This avenue and provision are also provided in Article VIII of the MA63, which says that Sabah and Sarawak can take their own measures to enforce and implement MA63, without having to amend the Federal Constitution," stated Ongkili.
Ongkili, however, added that he understood what Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan meant in calling for a new Malaysian agreement, which was supported by Sabah deputy chief minister Datuk Seri Jeffrey Kitingan.
But he reminded that the MA63 document was a sacred one that led to the formation of the country, and the foundation should be respected instead of disregarding or abandoning it.
"We understand why they want it, so we could call for serious, in-depth discussion and exchange pertaining to the supplementary deal, with core inputs from both the Sabah and Sarawak governments, as well as Malaya (West Malaysia), as the signatories of the MA63.
"But MA63 is irreplaceable. Like what I have mentioned before - no MA63, no Malaysia," he explained.
Ongkili added that the MKMA63 chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakub views this matter seriously, and the Special Committee is open to provide an avenue to deliberate them to further strengthen Malaysia.
