KUNAK: The Sabah Government will continue to pursue claims and outstanding issues under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), including Sabah’s entitlement to 40 per cent of net revenue.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor the State Government would raise the 40 per cent claim as a key agenda item at the MA63 Implementation Action Council meeting chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim this Friday (Sept 11).
He said the meeting, to be held in Sabah, would also discuss various outstanding claims and issues under MA63 that remained unresolved.
“In the meeting, we will discuss matters that are being claimed or issues that still need to be resolved under our MA63,” he told reporters after visiting the Kunak Lipids Sdn Bhd Phytonutrient Extraction Plant, here, Tuesday.
“Previously, four matters had been resolved, bringing the total to 13. However, there are still other matters outstanding, including the 40 per cent payment,” he said.
Hajiji said the Federal Government had in principle agreed to the 40 per cent revenue claim, but several technical issues still needed to be resolved through the official appeal process.
“All outstanding MA63 issues will be raised again for consideration during the meeting and related negotiations,” he added.
He also expressed appreciation to Anwar for the Federal Government’s commitment to resolving nine matters under MA63 and devolving powers to Sabah.
Meanwhile, Hajiji welcomed progress on the Kunak Lipids Sdn Bhd Phytonutrient Extraction Plant, which is nearing completion and is expected to begin producing vitamin E by the end of this year.
The project, a downstream venture by Sawit Kinabalu Group using palm-based materials, is believed to be the first of its kind in Malaysia.
“I am very pleased to receive a briefing from Sawit Kinabalu and its partner company because the plant built to produce vitamin E is almost complete, and I hope it will increase the returns for both parties,” he said.
Hajiji was received at the plant by Sawit Kinabalu Chairman Datuk Hazem Mubarak Tun Dr Musa and Group Managing Director and Group Chief Executive Officer Datuk Victor Ationg.
