KUALA LUMPUR: Sabah's claims on oil royalty and petroleum cash payments, oil and gas resources, and its maritime rights are among five Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) issues referred for discussion or a decision at the highest level, Parliament was told.
The other two issues involve the Territorial Sea Act 2012 and stamp duties on instruments for land transfers, charges and leases under Sabah's land laws.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Sabah and Sarawak) Datuk Mustapha Sakmud said these matters are among 13 of 27 MA63 issues involving Sabah that have yet to be fully resolved.
Of the 27 matters discussed under the MA63 Implementation Action Council, 14 have been resolved, he said in a written parliamentary reply.
Three issues have been resolved on an interim or partial basis — the review of special grants for Sabah and Sarawak under Article 112D of the Federal Constitution, as well as health and education matters.
The Federal Government has agreed to increase Sabah's Special Grant to RM1.5bil from 2026 for five years, Mustapha said.
He said the higher grant is an interim arrangement while the Federal and Sabah governments work toward a final agreement on the grant amount under Article 112D.
The review is being carried out jointly by the Finance Ministry and the Sabah government.
Two outstanding issues have received policy decisions: the delegation of powers over environmental matters and the appointment of Judicial Commissioners.
Three other matters remain under discussion, involving development along the Sabah-Sarawak-Kalimantan border, increasing the number of parliamentary seats for Sabah and Sarawak, and a proposal to place tourism under the Concurrent List.
Mustapha said the government remains committed to resolving all MA63 matters, but the timeline will depend on the necessary legal processes.
He added that Sabah and Sarawak's operational readiness, manpower and financial resources must also be considered before an issue can be finalised.
He was replying to Sandakan MP Vivian Wong Shir Yee, who asked for an update on Sabah's MA63 claims, including funds involved, implementation dates and unresolved demands.
