KUCHING: The upcoming Malaysia Day celebration this Monday marks a momentous occasion for the people of Sabah and Sarawak, as 11 of the 21 claims under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) have finally been resolved.
Hailed as a priceless gift to the people of Borneo, the Madani government, led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, is proving its commitment to restoring the eroded rights of Sarawak and Sabah goes beyond empty talk.
Experts interviewed by Bernama viewed the latest development as a positive step, reflecting the hopes and confidence of the Borneo community, particularly in Sarawak, in the Madani government.
Dr Suffian Mansor from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia's (UKM) Research Centre for History, Politics and Strategies said the successful resolution is a clear testament to the Madani government's dedication to fulfilling its pledge to restore Sarawak and Sabah's rights under MA63.
"This is indeed sweet, as the resolution of these 11 matters comes just before Malaysia's 61st anniversary. It will bring joy (to the people) and reinforce full support that Malaysia remains on the right track," he told Bernama.
Suffian said that resolving these claims marks a substantial advancement, as under Anwar's leadership a series of discussions has led to many beneficial outcomes for Sarawak and Sabah.
He said the handover of regulatory control over the gas supply is the most significant solution for Sarawak, as it aligns with the state's right to oversee its own resources and land.
"It could also generate income for Sarawak, which can be used for the development and well-being of its people.
"This swift accomplishment has secured a joint partnership position for these two states with Peninsular Malaysia," he said.
Last Thursday, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, after attending the MA63 Implementation Action Council (MTPMA63) Technical Committee meeting, said that 11 claims under the MA63 negotiation platform have been successfully resolved, with seven settled during Anwar's administration.
This includes the designation of the Public Works Department in Sabah and Sarawak as a Technical Department; the handover of regulatory power over gas supply; and amendments to the Inland Revenue Board (IRB) Act 1995 to appoint representatives from the Sabah and Sarawak state governments as permanent members of the IRB.
Fadillah, who is also the chairman of the MTPMA63 Technical Committee, said the resolution also covered claims related to the administration of the judiciary in Sabah and Sarawak and special guidelines for the return of reserve land for federal purposes in Sabah and Sarawak.
Meanwhile, senior lecturer at the Department of Social Science and Management, Universiti Putra Malaysia Bintulu Campus (UPMKB), Dr Abdul Hadi Samsi said the resolution of 11 of the 21 claims under MA63 has had a positive impact on both Sabah and Sarawak.
He said that the return of autonomous power will enable the Sarawak and Sabah governments to manage and administer their affairs independently, without federal government interference.
"These two states can boost allocations to better develop basic amenities, ensuring that their people have access to high-quality facilities similar to those in Peninsular Malaysia," he said.
Abdul Hadi said that financial allocations from the federal government could be distributed fairly, based on the size and population of Sarawak and Sabah, ensuring more sustainable economic development.
He said this solution would also enable the federal government to enhance its focus on the social and economic issues of indigenous communities, customary land rights, and to expand economic opportunities for marginalised groups in Sabah and Sarawak.
He said the outcomes of the meeting strengthened the relationship between the state and federal governments and increased the confidence of the people in Sabah and Sarawak in the federal government's commitment to upholding their rights and interests.
He said the Madani government has demonstrated a strong commitment to ensuring that all citizens, regardless of their location, benefit from ongoing development.
"This demonstrates the Madani government's strong commitment, which positively impacts the empowerment of Sabah and Sarawak and fosters a more balanced integration of these two states with other states within the Malaysian framework," he said. – Bernama