KUCHING: The Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) is the foundation for the formation of the nation, says a deputy minister in the Sarawak Premier's Department.
Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali said any suggestions to abolish MA63 were constitutionally untenable, as Malaysia would have no constitutional basis to exist without it.
"After the recent amendment to Article 160 of the Federal Constitution, MA63 is now an integral part of the supreme law of the Federation.
"It cannot be removed by personal opinion or political rhetoric," she told the Sarawak Legislative Assembly during question time on Tuesday (Nov 25).
Chieng Jin Ek (GPS-Bukit Assek) had asked for the Sarawak government's views on some voices questioning MA63 and calling for its cancellation.
Sharifah Hasidah said any statements suggesting MA63 should be scrapped were merely personal opinions and carried no legal weight.
"Their suggestion that MA63 should be cancelled is preposterous, absurd, ridiculous and devoid of good sense or judgment.
"It shows their ignorance of history. It is a blatant attack on the constitutional integrity of our Federation," she said.
She added that such comments may be seditious as they could incite division and hatred among Malaysians.
She also reiterated Sarawak's commitment to upholding MA63 and fighting for the state's rights.
"MA63 remains an integral binding agreement and we will ensure that its terms are upheld.
"We will ensure that Malaysia remains united, harmonious and strong because a strong Sarawak is a strong Malaysia," she said.
To an earlier question from Chieng, Sharifah Hasidah said negotiations between Sarawak and the Federal Government were ongoing on several matters under MA63.
These include the proposal to increase parliamentary representation for Sabah and Sarawak, health and education matters, "Borneonisation" of the federal public service in Sarawak, and development of the Sabah-Sarawak-Kalimantan border area.
She also said Sarawak was pursuing matters that had been agreed in principle, including the empowerment of environmental regulatory authority to the state government and a constitutional amendment on the power to appoint judicial commissioners in Sarawak.
In addition, she said another matter that had been partially resolved was the financial review under Article 112D.
"As an interim arrangement, the Federal Government has agreed to increase the amount of the special grant for Sarawak from RM300mil in 2024 to RM600mil in 2025 for a period of five years.
"We hope the special grant formula we have proposed to the Federal Government will be considered and approved soon," she added.
