KOTA SAMARAHAN: There are 15 issues under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) which are yet to be resolved, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak Affairs) Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili.
These include the state’s authority over health issues, the remaining legislative authority on the environment, labour force in Sabah and Sarawak and the release of land given ownership rights to the federation in Sabah and Sarawak.
“Most are already passed to the committee (MA63 Special Council Committee). There are ongoing matters still under discussion, for example, the issue of grants under Act 112 (1) of the Federal Constitution (Increase of Posts) with Sarawak.
“Discussions have started but there has been no decision yet on how much there is to be reviewed regarding the refund (for oil royalties and petroleum cash refunds). Besides, the additional Sabah and Sarawak parliamentary seats is also still under discussion.”
He said this at a press conference after attending the MA63: From the Perspective of the Millennial Generation at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), yesterday (Sept 19).
The forum saw Ongkili alongside Professor Dr Neilson Ilan Mersat of UNIMAS; Dr Romzi Ationg of Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) with Dr Arnold Puyok as the moderator.
Maximus revealed some issues concerning MA63 which are yet to be resolved.
Among them, the review of special grants (Article 112D of the Federal Constitution) of the State of Sarawak; Residual Powers of Environmental Legislation; Gas and Electricity Regulatory Authority for the State of Sabah; recognition of Sabah and Sarawak Public Works Departments as Technical Departments under AP182; Labor Force in Sabah and Sarawak; Stamp Duty Charged on Instruments of Transfer, charge, lease of Land under Sabah and Sarawak Land Ordinance; Federal Financial Obligations Under the Common List; Land Release given Ownership Rights to the Federation in the States of Sabah and Sarawak.
In addition, State Authority over Health Issues; Administration of the Judiciary of Sabah and Sarawak; Article 112(1) of the Federal Constitution (Increase in Posts); Oil royalties and Petroleum payments; Oil Minerals and Oil Fields; Territorial Seas Act 2012 (Act 750); and State Rights over the Continental Shelf.
While the six matters under MA63 that have been completed are the handing over of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) Regulatory Authority to the Sarawak Government; amendment of Article 1(2) and Article 160(2) of the Federal Constitution; Empowerment Regarding Licensing and Deep Sea Fishing to the Sabah Government; Re-Delegation of Authority over the Administration of Sipadan Island and Ligitan Island to the Sabah Government (Repeal of the Control of Prohibition and Prohibited Places Act 1959 (Act 298); Review of Special Grants to the State of Sabah under Article 112D of the Federal Constitution; and Empowerment Regarding Deep Sea Fishing and Licensing to the Sarawak Government.
