KUCHING: The change in the status of the two states as regions needs to be referred first to the Conference of Rulers and then the Parliament, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
He revealed this after chairing the high-level Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) implementation action committee meeting at the state legislative assembly (DUN) complex here yesterday.
He assured that pending the change, the federal government recognised and acknowledged the status of Sarawak and Sabah.
As such, he said the term would not affect the negotiations to restore the rights belonging to Sarawak and Sabah.
“Nevertheless, we need to respect the process needed for the amendment. What’s important is that we recognise the status of Sarawak and Sabah despite the term. The recognition is there and we are clear about their status as part of Malaysia.
“That is why Sarawak has a ‘Premier’. It is to distinguish him from the Chief Ministers (in the Peninsula),” he said.
Anwar also responded to Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari’s request to exempt bonus given by the state government from tax.
Anwar agreed to the request, saying that the bonus given was not that much.
He also extended the exemption to the whole nation.
“Although it was proposed by the Premier, this exemption will be applied to all the civil servants in our country,” he declared.
