KUCHING: Senate president Tan Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar had the opportunity to address Malaysian university students from diverse academic backgrounds during his visit to London last Oct 7.
He engaged with undergraduate students at Malaysia Hall London and later met with post-graduate students and members of the diaspora.
Accompanying him at Malaysia Hall were counsellor (Multilateral) from the High Commission of Malaysia Siti A’liah Mansor, and Education Attache (Acting Director, Education Malaysia London) Alia Nabila Alias.
During his discussions, Wan Junaidi shed light on various legal transformations and initiatives aimed at introducing new laws and legal frameworks.
“These initiatives are crucial to complement Malaysia’s national legal infrastructure in politics, society, and the economy,” he said in a Facebook post.
One of the focal points of his address was the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and the ongoing processes and issues related to it.
The MA63, said the former law minister, has been a subject of critical importance, especially concerning the promises made and their implementation in Sarawak and Sabah.
He asserted that these issues were largely overlooked for nearly five decades until (former prime minister) Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s administration in 2009.
As such, he stressed the significance of the MA63 from political, social, and economic perspectives.
“Understanding and appreciating the agreement are vital for further integration and unity in Malaysia,” he added.
He cited the MA63, which was signed on July 9, 1963, by representatives from Malaya, Singapore, Sabah, and Sarawak.
Wan Junaidi emphasised that it played a pivotal role in the formation of the Federation of Malaysia on September 16, 1963.
On the same note, he also shared insights into the long-standing plans to transform the Parliament of Malaysia, which had been in development since 2021 and 2022.
“These initiatives were being implemented as part of the Malaysia Madani Government’s vision, with hopes that some would be tabled during the next session, coinciding with the presentation of the 2024 budget,” said Wan Junaidi.
He then expressed his hope that the session was beneficial for the students, providing them with a deeper understanding of the government’s efforts and the significance of MA63 and its associated issues.
He wished the students success in their studies abroad and encouraged them to carry Malaysian culture and values with pride.
