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A FULLER and more balanced understanding of how Malaysia was formed is essential to reviving the true spirit of the nation as envisaged under the Malaysia Agreement 1963, Deputy Prime Minister II Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said, warning that shortcomings in historical education have distorted public understanding of the country’s foundations.
Fadillah said the existing education system places disproportionate emphasis on the history of Malaya, while the process and principles behind the formation of Malaysia receive insufficient attention.
He noted that key documents such as the Malaysia Agreement 1963 and the Inter-Governmental Committee Report are not comprehensively covered in the national syllabus, leaving many Malaysians unaware of the compromises and shared understandings that underpinned the country’s creation.
“The lack of exposure has caused many people to not understand the basis of Malaysia’s formation and the spirit of consensus agreed upon by all parties when this country was established.
“Therefore, the Malaysian spirit must be revived based on MA63, including understanding the contents of the agreement and the matters that were agreed upon but have yet to be fully implemented,” he said.
Fadillah was speaking after a fireside chat held in conjunction with the Oxbridge Sarawak Reception and Dinner with alumni of the University of Cambridge and the University of Oxford.
He said the limited understanding of Malaysia’s formation was an issue he highlighted during the session, adding that the problem extended beyond public discourse and included Malaysians themselves.
“The main problem is when matters that should fall under state rights were interfered with by the Federation, and this is what we need to correct through discussions.
“Sabah and Sarawak are not demanding anything new. The demands are based on what is already enshrined in MA63 and the IGC Report,” he said.
According to Fadillah, efforts to address these long-standing issues are being refined through technical committees and relevant councils chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, together with ministers responsible for related portfolios.
“Our goal is to restore what are rightfully the states’ rights. If full restoration is not possible, then at the very least we harmonise their implementation to preserve national harmony and unity,” he said.
Addressing claims that many members of parliament still do not fully understand MA63, Fadillah said the matter remains a continuous process that depends largely on individual commitment.
“There are those who want to understand, and there are also those who do not want to understand even after explanations have been given. From there, we can identify who truly stands with us.
“That understanding is important in shaping political strategy, including securing a two-thirds majority if matters related to MA63 are brought to Parliament for approval,” he said.
Fadillah also pointed to the role of the education system in shaping long-term understanding of the nation’s foundations, stressing the need for reforms beyond symbolic changes.
Under the new education plan, including at the tertiary level, Bahasa Melayu is compulsory as a credit requirement regardless of school stream, while History must be passed as a condition for entry into public universities.
“What is important now is that we examine the content of the syllabus for every subject, not just History, to ensure that what is being taught today is truly relevant for the future and capable of preparing our children to face the challenges ahead,” he said. - January 26, 2026