KUCHING: The Sarawak Government has successfully resolved 11 claims under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) through negotiations with the Federal Government thus far.
Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Department (Law, MA63 and State-Federal Relations) Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali said this achievement is the result of continuous negotiations between the state government and the Federal Government, conducted through official platforms including the MA63 Implementation Action Council (MTPMA63).
Among others, the Sarawak Government has now taken over the regulatory power of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) via PETROS, thereby strengthening the state’s control over a strategic energy resource.
Furthermore, Article 1(2) of the Federal Constitution has been amended to restore the status of Sarawak and Sabah as equal partners in the formation of Malaysia, in line with the spirit of MA63.
"An amendment has also been made to the interpretation of the term ‘Federation’ under Article 160(2) of the Federal Constitution, which now constitutionally includes MA63, as well as related documents such as the Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC) Report.
“Additionally, Article 161A has been amended to grant full authority to the Sarawak Government to define the term ‘native’ in a more comprehensive and inclusive manner. The State has also been given the authority to issue Deep-Sea Fishing Licences through the Sarawak Marine Fisheries Department and the Ministry of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development.
“Moreover, the Sarawak Public Works Department (JKR) and the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) are now recognised as Technical Departments under Treasury Instruction 182, allowing them to administer federal projects in Sarawak valued up to RM50 million,” she said.
She was responding to Bukit Assek Assemblyman Joseph Chieng Jin Ek during a question-and-answer session at the 19th Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) on Tuesday.
Datuk Sharifah Hasidah added that amendments made to the Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia Act 1995 to allow the appointment of permanent representatives from Sabah and Sarawak to the Board have been agreed upon, and the Federal Government has also issued Special Guidelines to facilitate the return of land reserved for federal purposes in Sabah and Sarawak.
Furthermore, the Sarawak Labour Ordinance (Cap.76) has been amended and enforced starting 1 May 2025, while Bintulu Port has had its status changed from a federal port to a state port.
The final claim is that the Sarawak Rural Water Supply Department (JBALB) is now recognised as a Technical Department under Treasury Instruction 182.
Regarding matters that have been partially resolved, she clarified that the Federal Government has agreed to increase the Sarawak Special Grant from RM300 million in 2024 to RM600 million in 2025 for a period of five years as an interim arrangement.
“We hope the Special Grant Formula that we have proposed to the Federal Court will be approved soon,” she said.
Matters agreed upon in principle include the empowerment of environmental regulatory authority to the Sarawak Government through the Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB) and amendments to the Federal Constitution regarding the power to appoint the Judicial Commissioner in Sarawak.
However, she clarified that several key issues still require further negotiation between the state and Federal Governments.
“These include the proposal to increase the number of Members of Parliament from Sabah and Sarawak in the Dewan Rakyat, and the proposal to transfer Item 25A (Tourism) from List I (Federal) to List III (Concurrent) of the Ninth Schedule of the Federal Constitution,” she further explained. -UKASnews
