By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Sept 17: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has described the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) as a “Waad Nasional”, a national covenant and responsibility inherited from the country’s forefathers that must be respected and implemented at the national level.
Addressing the National-Level Malaysia Day celebration at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here today, Anwar said MA63 should not be viewed as an issue concerning Sabah and Sarawak alone, but as a national commitment involving the entire Malaysian federation.
“I have emphasised that under my leadership, MA63 is Waad Nasional, a national responsibility, and must be addressed nationally,” he said.
Anwar said the agreement was tied to promises made by the country’s founding leaders when the federation was formed, adding that these commitments should not be interpreted as one side giving in to another.
He said Malaysia’s history was rooted in agreements, pledges and consensus among its leaders and people, and that the principles underlying those commitments must continue to guide the country.
“Malaya in 1957 and Malaysia in 1963… that is our covenant,” he said.
Anwar said the country’s forefathers had made the decision to strengthen the bonds between the different territories and communities that formed Malaysia, adding that this required the present generation to understand and give meaning to the commitments made at the time.
He said the implementation of MA63 should therefore be approached through consultation and negotiation, particularly when matters were complex.
“If matters are complicated, we negotiate. I am not saying that things happen automatically; we must negotiate and discuss them as friends,” he said.
Anwar also stressed that the relationship between the federal government and the Sabah and Sarawak governments should not be framed as a contest between the Peninsula and the two Borneo states.
He said the same national approach should apply when discussing development, energy and economic opportunities involving Sarawak, Sabah and the Peninsula.
Anwar cited several developments involving Sabah and Sarawak, including the recognition of the states’ Public Works Departments and Drainage and Irrigation Departments as technical departments, permanent representation for Sabah and Sarawak on the Inland Revenue Board, the transfer of electricity regulatory powers to Sabah and the transfer of Bintulu Port to Sarawak.
He said these developments demonstrated that issues under MA63 could be addressed through cooperation between the federal and State governments.
Anwar also said discussions on increasing parliamentary representation for Sabah and Sarawak were progressing, with the details to be negotiated with the Election Commission (EC) before being brought to Parliament.
He said the important principle was that the ratio of parliamentary representation for Sabah and Sarawak should improve from the current position.
“It has taken almost 60 years, but we are grateful that there remains a commitment to implement it,” he said.
Anwar said the spirit behind MA63 was ultimately about building a united Malaysia while ensuring justice, inclusiveness and the wellbeing of all its citizens.
He said the country’s democratic space should allow issues involving ethnicity, religion and culture to be raised, but such discussions should be aimed at strengthening rather than undermining national unity.
“Democracy only has meaning when there is space for people to speak, but that space for dialogue should be used to build, not to destroy,” he said. — DayakDaily
