KUCHING: The granting of powers on the matters on environment, labour and the appointment of a Judicial Commissioner in Sarawak are three new matters under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) which have already received a policy decision.
Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah, Sarawak Affairs and Special Duties) Datuk Wilson Ugak Kumbong said, all these matters have been discussed and a policy decision has been reached through the MA63 Implementation Action Council (MTPMA63).
“So far, six matters have been fully resolved, while two other matters have been partially resolved, namely the review of the RM300 million special grant for Sabah and Sarawak under Article 112D and the preparation of guidelines for handing over federal reserved land in the two regions.
“While, three other matters have had a policy decision, which is the granting of power on the environment; labour issues in Sabah and Sarawak and the power regarding the appointment of Judicial Commissioner (Amendment of the Federal Constitution),” he said.
The Hulu Rajang MP said this in a written reply in response to Igan MP Ahmad Johnie Zawawi who asked for the detailed status on the matters under MA63 for Sarawak in the Dewan Rakyat.
“In addition, 12 other matters are still under discussion and have not yet been decided on, including oil royalties and cash payments for petroleum, oil minerals and oil fields, the Territorial Sea Act 2012 (Act 705), state rights over the continental shelf, financial obligations of the Federation and stamp duty charged on instruments of transfer, charge, lease of land under Sabah Land Ordinance (Chapter 68) and Sarawak Land Code.
“Other matters still to be decided on are the Sabah and Sarawak public service posts under Article 112 of the Federal Constitution, the Borneosation of the federal public service, the development of the Sabah-Sarawak-Kalimantan border, the increase in the number of Members of Parliament, the proposed amendment to Article 95B of the Federal Constitution regarding the modification and division of legislative powers and proposed amendment of item 25A (tourism) in List I (Federal) to List III (Joint) of the Federal Constitution,” he said.
He said the Unity Government remains committed to ensuring that the matters under the MA63 are resolved in accordance with the legal framework through the MTPMA63 negotiation platform chaired by the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and the Coordination Committee chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.
He also said the federal government has received three new issues for discussion, namely health, education and the conversion of the status of Bintulu Port to a State Port.
“The new issues were discussed last July and August, especially the development of education and health in Sabah and Sarawak.
“The time period for the resolution of each matter and claim is subject to the relevant legal process.
“In addition, the level of readiness of the government of Sabah and Sarawak from the point of view of operations, human resources, finance also needed to be taken into account before the matter of MA63 can be resolved,” he said.
