In a Malaysia Day message posted on Facebook today, Armizan said the terms of MA63 remained relevant and binding, stressing that the agreement did not cease to have effect following the formation of the Federal Constitution.
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia does not need a new agreement or “new deal” to address the rights and assurances under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), said Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali.
In a Malaysia Day message posted on Facebook today, Armizan said the terms of MA63 remained relevant and binding, stressing that the agreement did not cease to have effect following the formation of the Federal Constitution.
He said this was expressly reflected in Article VIII of MA63, which requires the governments of the Federation of Malaya, North Borneo and Sarawak to take legislative, executive or other measures necessary to implement the assurances, undertakings and recommendations contained in the Inter-Governmental Committee Report and its annexes.
“Moving forward, the country does not need a new agreement or what some parties refer to as a ‘new deal’.
“This is because the terms of the agreement expressly show that MA63 did not end once the Federal Constitution was enacted, and that the commitments and responsibilities outlined remain relevant and binding, past, present and forever,” he said.
Armizan said this year’s Malaysia Day, marking the 63rd anniversary of the formation of Malaysia, should provide an opportunity for Malaysians to develop a deeper understanding of the country’s history and the circumstances surrounding the formation of the federation.
He said this understanding should go beyond the Federation of Malaya Agreement 1948, the social contract among the three main communities and Malaya’s independence in 1957.
It should also include full acceptance of MA63 as the “birth certificate” of the Federation of Malaysia, he said.
Armizan also highlighted the historical significance of Sept 16, saying the date was not formally recognised as a national occasion for more than 40 years after Malaysia was formed in 1963.
He said the focus had previously been on Aug 31 as National Day, or Independence Day.
Malaysia Day was eventually incorporated into the official national calendar from 2010 following growing awareness of the aspirations of Sabah and Sarawak, he said.
“Although the initial voices and proposals from certain quarters were set aside, the Federal Government eventually agreed for Malaysia Day to be celebrated and enshrined in the official national calendar from 2010,” he said.
Armizan said the shift came amid changes in the country’s political landscape following the 2008 general election, when the Federal Government for the first time failed to secure a two-thirds majority.
He said this contributed to greater awareness of the aspirations of Sabah and Sarawak.
He said the 63rd Malaysia Day should therefore serve as a reminder of the commitments made by the country’s founding leaders and the need to understand and uphold them.
“May Malaysia become more united and progressive, a prosperous and safe homeland for all its people,” he said.
