By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Nov 15: The recommendations in the Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC) Report and the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) are strong, relevant, and indisputable.
Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Law, MA63, and State-Federal Relations) Datuk Sharifah Hasidah emphasised that many of these recommendations and provisions have formed a vital foundation for the Federal Constitution’s provisions to this day.
“Additionally, several IGC Report recommendations have provided the basis for successful claims by the Sarawak government, such as the appointment of a Sarawak representative on the Inland Revenue Board,” she explained in response to Opar assemblyman Billy Sujang.
Sujang had asked about the extent to which the IGC Report and MA63 recommendations are legally binding and impactful on Sarawak’s autonomy claims, including those related to health and education, during today’s question-and-answer session at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUS) today.
Sharifah Hasidah further noted that in 2021, an amendment to Article 160 of the Federal Constitution formally recognised the MA63.
“This has made the MA63, the IGC Report, and all related documents part of the Federal Constitution,” she said.
Article 8 of the MA63 also underscores this integration, stating: “The Government of the Federation of Malaya, North Borneo, and Sarawak will take such legislative, executive, or other action as may be required to implement the assurances, undertakings, and recommendations contained in Chapter 3 of, and Annexes A and B to, the Report of the Inter-Governmental Committee signed on 27th February 1963, insofar as they are not implemented by express provision of the Constitution of Malaysia.”
She emphasised that Article 8 further embeds the IGC Report within the Federal Constitution.
Regarding education autonomy, Sharifah Hasidah also stated that the federal government has recently agreed to 10 demands from Sarawak, which are administrative in nature.
Among these key demands is the delegation of authority to the Sarawak Education director to approve projects funded by the Sarawak government or any party other than the federal government to ensure that educational projects can proceed within set timelines and align with the specific needs of the Sarawak people and the region’s overall priorities.
Additionally, decisions on appointing district education officers, principals, and headmasters to fill vacancies or acting roles must first be referred to and discussed with the Sarawak Education director.
On healthcare, Sharifah Hasidah highlighted recent progress, including the upgrading of healthcare facilities and dilapidated clinics, as well as the implementation of a Sarawak health facility pilot project.
However, she pointed out that there are still numerous issues that require further discussion, with hopes of achieving more agreements. To facilitate this, several working committees have been established to discuss and address Sarawak’s requests. — DayakDaily
