Kota Kinabalu: Sabah’S position under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) must be backed by concrete action, not political rhetoric, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak) Datuk Mustapha Sakmud (pic).
In his Malaysia Day 2026 message, he said the Federal Government remained committed to resolving outstanding matters with Sabah and Sarawak through negotiations and within the Federal Constitution.
He cited the recent MA63 Implementation Action Council (MTPMA63) meeting chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in Kota Kinabalu as evidence of continued efforts to reach consensus.
Among the key developments was an agreement in principle to increase parliamentary representation for Sabah and Sarawak, taking into account their representation within the Dewan Rakyat.
He said the proposed increase was not simply about numbers, but about ensuring the people of Borneo had an effective voice in national decision-making. Progress was also being made towards the Borneonisation of Federal posts in Sabah and Sarawak.
On Sabah’s special grant, Mustapha said the 2026 interim allocation had increased to RM1.5 billion from RM600 million, with the additional RM900 million to be implemented this year.
He stressed that the payment was interim and did not waive or settle Sabah’s 40 per cent revenue entitlement under the Federal Constitution.
“The implementation concerning Sabah’s 40 per cent right does not stop with the interim payment. It will continue in accordance with the Constitution,” he said.
The Sabah and Sarawak Affairs Division (BHESS) will also work with the Malaysian Parliament Backbenchers’ Club to establish Friends of BHESS, aimed at improving understanding of MA63 among MPs and Senators.
“MA63 should not be the narrative of Sabah and Sarawak alone. It is a national narrative. That is the true meaning of a federation,” Mustapha said.
Meanwhile, the Sepanggar Assemblyman also urged political leaders to exercise restraint and maturity, saying democratic differences should not come at the expense of national stability.
He questioned calls by certain quarters for an early dissolution of Parliament, saying Malaysia Day should instead be used to strengthen national unity.
He also stressed that freedom of expression did not justify insulting religions or belittling the beliefs of other communities.
Sabah and Sarawak, he said, demonstrated how people of different faiths and cultures could live and work together despite their differences.
“Political maturity means defending our position without insulting others, fighting for state rights without damaging relations with the Federal Government, criticising the Government without undermining institutions and competing in elections without placing peace and stability at risk,” he said.
As Malaysia marks its 63rd anniversary as a country, Mustapha said the priority should be turning federal commitments into measurable outcomes for Sabah and Sarawak while upholding the constitutional framework of the federation.
