KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin’s final question in Parliament as an MP was on the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), before he passed away on Friday (Dec 5).
According to parliamentary written replies dated Wednesday (Dec 4), Bung Moktar (BN-Kinabatangan) had asked the Prime Minister about the outcomes of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 Implementation Action Council (MTPMA63) meetings, as well as the status of matters already mutually agreed upon.
Deputy Prime Minister II Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof responded, affirming the government’s strong commitment to ongoing negotiations on MA63 matters raised by both the Sabah and Sarawak state governments, to ensure resolutions are in line with the Federal Constitution and existing legal framework.
Fadillah said the government has strengthened the official MA63 negotiation platform by establishing the MTPMA63, chaired by the Prime Minister, and the Technical Committee under MTPMA63, which he chairs.
Meetings have been held every year since 2023, in line with the council’s requirement to convene at least once a year.
"There are 29 matters being discussed under the official MTPMA63 negotiation platform. To date, 13 matters have been resolved," Fadillah said.
Among those resolved are: the recognition of the Public Works Department (JKR) and Department of Irrigation and Drainage (JPS) of Sabah and Sarawak as Technical Departments under Treasury Instruction 182 (AP182); amendment to the Inland Revenue Board Act 1995 to appoint Sabah and Sarawak state representatives as permanent members; delegation of regulatory authority over gas and electricity supply to Sabah; administration of the judiciary in Sabah and Sarawak; and a proposed amendment to Article 95B of the Federal Constitution regarding the division of legislative powers for the states.
Fadillah added that the ministry or department responsible for each matter must ensure the decisions are implemented as determined in the official MA63 negotiation platform. Even after matters are classified as completed, both state governments can raise any issues during implementation at Technical Committee meetings.
Datuk Seri Bung Moktar, Kinabatangan MP and Sabah Barisan chief, passed away at 1.46am on Friday (Dec 5) at the age of 66. He had been admitted to a private hospital for a severe lung infection and his condition worsened due to kidney complications.
His death comes less than a week after he retained his Lamag state seat in the Nov 29 Sabah election.
