Sabah leaders thank Anwar for MA63 pledge, autonomy on development

KOTA KINABALU – Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Mohd Noor has lauded the cabinet’s decision to give full autonomy to Sabah and Sarawak for development projects under RM50 million.

“It is another piece of good news announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, on top of the handover of regulatory power over our gas resources.

“It will definitely help in the approval and implementation of development projects that had always been impeded by cumbersome red tape before,” he said here today.

“In the spirit of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), this is indeed good news,” he added.

Hajiji said that he and his Sarawak counterpart will be meeting the prime minister to finalise a few matters under MA63, among them matters related to the special grant .

He also noted that the working and review committees on MA63 will continue under the chairmanship of Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.

Other good news expected, he said, was an additional allocation to speed up the completion of Pan Borneo Highway projects in Sabah.

In a press conference after chairing the first cabinet meeting for this year, Anwar announced that full autonomy would be given to Sabah and Sarawak for projects under RM50 million with proper compliance with the established monetary regulations.

Sabah opposition leader Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal also welcomed the prime minister's announcement today, saying the good news showed the federal government’s commitment to honour MA63.

“This is good news and shows the commitment of the federal government now to honour MA63.

“Warisan thanks the prime minister for his concern for the dream of the people of Sabah who have long wanted to see the agreement implemented,” he added.

On December 21 last year, Anwar also announced the devolution of the authority on gas resources to the state following a cabinet decision.

The matter now awaits royal assent as well as the formulation of a policy to allow the state government to take over authority over the gas resources. – The Vibes, January 4, 2022