Resolving disputes: Fadillah (third from right) receives a gift during the opening ceremony of BAW2025 in Kuching. — Bernama
KUCHING: The negotiation process relating to Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) already involves various parties, including the Attorney General (AG) and state Attorneys General (AGs), says Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.
The Deputy Prime Minister, who is also chairman of the MA63 Implementation Action Council’s Technical Committee, stressed that all negotiations are based on existing laws.
“That is why the negotiations will not only involve the Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) and the Sarawak Premier (Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg) they will also involve the state Attorney General and the Attorney General.
“So these negotiations will be ongoing, and ultimately, as stated by the Prime Minister and the Premier, the goal is to find a win-win approach within the framework and scope of the existing Constitution and legal system,” he told reporters after opening the Borneo Alternative Dispute Resolution Week 2025 (BAW2025) yesterday, Bernama reported.
Fadillah was responding to a proposal by lawyer Mohamed Haniff Khatri Abdulla that the AG and state AG be tasked with discussing and advising the federal and state governments in all disputes involving the law and the Federal Constitution.
Mohamed Haniff was quoted by the media as saying that the AG and state AG should also negotiate to resolve issues related to the Sarawak government’s claims involving the distribution of the state’s natural resources.
Earlier, Fadillah urged for a strategic focus on developing homegrown alternative dispute resolution talent in Sabah and Sarawak to position the region as a natural hub for legal and commercial cooperation.
In his opening speech at BAW2025, the Deputy Prime Minister also highlighted the need to strengthen cross-border partnerships to address the region’s growing legal and economic complexities.
“Developing talent is not a solitary effort, it requires collaboration across government, industry, academia and professional institutions.
“We must work together to cultivate a strong and diverse pool of arbitrators, adjudicators, mediators, expert witnesses and claims consultants who are technically skilled and deeply familiar with the values and context of Borneo,” he said.
Fadillah added that fostering deeper collaboration across Borneo includes establishing long-term frameworks for cooperation between arbitral institutions, courts, universities and industries.
He also said that with the development of Nusantara in Indonesia, Brunei’s increased engagement and the rapid economic growth of Sabah and Sarawak, Borneo is emerging as a key player in Asean’s future.
“With Borneo’s increasing integration into cross-border trade and investment flows, our ecosystem must be ready not only to serve local needs, but to attract confidence from international stakeholders.”
BAW2025, which runs until May 9, features more than 15 events curated by various entities, including institutions, law firms, consultants and training bodies.
It serves as a platform to explore the effectiveness of dispute resolution in promoting economic growth, good governance and regional cooperation.
