Hajiji is optimistic ahead of MA63 meet with Anwar

LocalPolitics
11 Sep 2024 • 10:16 AM MYT
Daily Express
Daily Express

Daily Express Online (Malaysia) is Sabah's top-ranked & most viewed English news site. It is also Sabah's leading & most circulated daily English newspaper.

image is not available

By: Sherell Jeffrey

Kota Kinabalu: The meeting between the Sabah leadership and the Federal Government scheduled here tomorrow (Thursday) is expected to resolve some long-standing issues related to the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).

“The meeting which will be chaired by the Prime Minister aims to address and resolve several pending matters within the MA63,” said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor who is scheduled to meet with Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

“We hope to unravel and address several issues within the MA63,” Hajiji said when approached by reporters after officiating the 8th World Engineering Science and Technology Congress 2024 at the Sabah International Convention Centre, here, Tuesday.

Hajiji acknowledged that while many aspects of the Agreement have been implemented, there are still outstanding issues that require attention.

SPONSORED CONTENT Sinyi Group Founder, Chou Chun-Chi, Wins 2024 Asia Pacific Enterprise Award and Expands Sustainable Tourism Ventures in Sabah, Malaysia Kota Kinabalu: The 2024 Asia Pacific Enterprise Awards, hosted by Enterprise Asia, aims to recognize the most outstanding business leaders and organizations in the Asia-Pacific region. Read more When asked about specific topics to be raised during the meeting, Hajiji said all unresolved matters would be on the table, including the long-standing issue of Sabah’s 40 per cent revenue entitlement.

“We will negotiate in good faith with the Prime Minister and the Federal Government to ensure the implementation of the agreed-upon terms,” he said.

“It must be positive. Any meeting should have positive results,” he said, expressing optimism about the outcome of the meeting.

In a separate matter, Hajiji responded to criticisms regarding the award of scholarships, particularly claims that B40 students were not receiving financial aid.

He specifically addressed comments made by Datuk Azis Jamman, saying, “Azis Jamman should be thankful that we gave his child a scholarship. Our intentions are good. We aim to serve and help all our people in need.”

When pressed about current issues facing B40 students and scholarship allocations, Hajiji briefly responded, “We’ll address that later,” suggesting that the matter may be discussed in future deliberations.

* Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss.

* Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.