Sabah happy MA63 issues are at implementation stage

Photo: Bernama

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah is happy that all the state's outstanding Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) issues are now being implemented.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor (pic) said the state welcomed the announcement by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim that all outstanding issues had passed the discussion stage and were now in the implementation stages.

"The only issue is on technicalities and we look forward to working with the Federal Government to ensure all our demands are fully (met)," Hajiji said in a statement on Friday (Jan 20).

The Chief Minister also welcomed the Prime Minister's acknowledgment that Malaysia comprised three entities – Sabah, Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia – as stated in MA63.

Hajiji was speaking after he and Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg attended the MA63 Implementation Action Council meeting chaired by Anwar.

Hajiji said the Prime Minister's announcement that the council agreed with the formula on the special grant for Sabah and Sarawak under Article 112D of the Federal Constitution was also a step in the right direction.

During the meeting, Hajiji had asked the Federal Government to expedite the review of Article 112D that requires it to return 40% of the revenue earned from Sabah as a special grant.

Hajiji had also told the meeting that Sabah was maintaining its stand in rejecting the Territorial Sea Act 2012, which limits the state's maritime boundary to only three nautical miles.

"The Act has impeded Sabah's ability to impose its own laws on matters beyond three nautical miles. For example, in cases involving Sabah state sales tax and Sabah authorities' power on immigration issues.

"Sabah believes that its sea boundary should be more than 200 nautical miles in line with the the North Borneo (Alteration of Boundaries) Order in Council 1954," he said.

On the handing back of electricity regulatory powers to Sabah, Hajiji was grateful for the sensitivity of the Prime Minister in wanting to get it finalised by Jan 1 next year.

Anwar had also agreed to allocate RM1bil for initial works for the construction of a Customs, Immigration, Quarantine and Security (CIQS) facility as well as roads at the Malaysia - Indonesia border in Bantul (Pensiangan) and Serudong (Kalabakan) to be given special consideration to take advantage of Indonesia's move to shift its capital to Kalimantan.

"The Sabah government has complete confidence and trust that under Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's leadership, Sabah's MA63 demands will be resolved amicably soon.

"This is for the mutual benefit of both state and Federal governments in our efforts to bring progress and prosperity throughout the country for the people," Hajiji said.