Kota Kinabalu: Major MA63 demands affecting Sarawak’s control over oil and gas, parliamentary representation, health and education remain unresolved, with the Federal Government effectively leaving the most politically sensitive issues to the country’s top leadership.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak) Datuk Mustapha Sakmud said 26 Sarawak-related matters were being pursued under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), with 13 already classified as completed and three more settled at the Malaysia Agreement 1963 Implementation Action Council (MTPMA63) meeting on Sept 11.
But the outstanding issues include some of the most consequential questions over the distribution of federal and state powers.
The Sepanggar Assemblyman was responding to Puncak Borneo Assemblyman Datuk Willie Mongin, who sought clarification on the latest progress in negotiations, particularly Sarawak’s regulatory powers over oil and gas, as well as when health and education autonomy and the proposed 35 per cent parliamentary representation for Sabah and Sarawak would be finalised.
On health and education, Mustapha said both were categorised as partially resolved/interim, signalling that the issues remain short of a final settlement.
On parliamentary representation, he said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had acknowledged that there was justification for increasing the ratio of MPs from Sabah and Sarawak.
However, the issue still requires further discussions involving the Legal Affairs Division of the Prime Minister’s Department and the Election Commission.
More strikingly, oil royalties, petroleum cash payments, oil and mineral fields, the Territorial Sea Act, stamp duty and state rights over the continental shelf have been classified as matters now referred to the highest level for decision or further discussion.
Mustapha said these matters would be taken up directly by the Prime Minister, Sarawak Premier and Sabah Chief Minister, although they would continue to be monitored by MTPMA63 and its technical committee.
The response, however, offered no firm deadline for wrapping up the outstanding demands.
Asked about the need for a clear timeline to prevent MA63 issues from being repeatedly delayed, Mustapha said the Madani Government was committed to speeding up a settlement, but the timeframe for each claim remained subject to the relevant legislative process.
He also said state readiness in terms of operations, manpower and financial resources had to be considered before any MA63 demand could be fully resolved.
Mustapha maintained that the Government remained committed to implementing MA63 in a measured and inclusive manner based on a strong federal spirit.
But with major questions over petroleum rights and constitutional representation still awaiting decisions at the highest level, the political test now is whether those commitments can be translated into concrete outcomes rather than prolonged negotiations.
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