The Federal Government is committed to dealing with the MA63 issue
January 4, 2023
KUCHING: The government decided that the previous series of negotiations related to the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) should continue at the official level for the actions of ministries and agencies.
The Deputy Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said, it will then be brought to the MA63 Implementation Action Council (MTPMA63) or Cabinet of Ministers Meeting to be finalised.
He said the Cabinet has approved steps to empower the Supreme Consultation Platform as a Platform for Action Agenda for the Implementation of the MA63 Special Council (MKMA63) through MTPMA63 chaired by the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and involving the Premier of Sarawak, Tan Sri Abang Johari Abang Openg and the Chief Minister of Sabah , Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
"The first meeting of MTPMA63 is scheduled for this February and will be held in Kuching in conjunction with the Prime Minister's first official visit to Sarawak.
"For the MA63 Technical Committee chaired by myself, we will examine and continue discussions with all agencies and finalize all matters that have not been decided to be brought to MTPMA63," he said in a statement today.
Commenting further, Fadillah said that among the things that have been finalized is the process of handing over gas regulatory powers to the Sabah State Government, which has also received the approval of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah on December 27. .
"The Cabinet also agreed to improve the provision in Article 112D of the Federal Constitution regarding Special Grants to Sabah and Sarawak.
"The formula in terms of the increase in the amount of the special grant will be finalized in a meeting chaired by the Prime Minister in Kuching in February," he said.
However, he said, in principle, the Council of Ministers agreed to consider improving the existing Special Grants to the two regions concerned.
"The Cabinet also agreed to recognize technical agencies in Sabah and Sarawak with the Public Works Department (JKR) of Sabah and Sarawak recognized as Technical Departments.
"With that recognition, JKR Sabah and Sarawak are authorized to administer federal development projects at a rate of up to RM50 million," he said.
Fadillah said the government also committed to continue the Sarawak and Sabah Pan Borneo Highway Project because it is an initiative of the Federal Government to gradually improve the federal road infrastructure network in Sabah and Sarawak.
"The Sarawak Pan Borneo project is now 91 percent complete, while the Sabah Pan Borneo project is 73 percent complete.
"The government is also committed to continue the Sarawak-Sabah Link Road (SSLR) Project which is divided into two phases, namely SSLR Phase 1 (Lawas-Long Lopeng Junction), which is now 10 percent complete and SSLR Phase 2 and the Trans Borneo Highway involving Miri-Limbang -Old," he said.
He said, the Trans Borneo Highway will start as soon as the Ministry of Public Works finishes appointing a contractor which is expected to be finalized in 2024.
"This all proves the commitment and determination of the Federal Government in resolving all issues related to MA63 that are still pending and dignifying MA63 as well as strengthening the infrastructure for the people in Sabah and Sarawak," he said.
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