Questions raised over committees on MA63
KUCHING: The setting- up of three committees to review the Malaysia Agreement 1963 ( MA63) presents a golden opportunity to resolve the long outstanding issues pertaining to the formation of Malaysia and the rights and special privileges accorded to Sabah and Sarawak in the Federation of Malaysia, opines Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku deputy president Edward Linggu.
However, Edward posed some questions for all to ponder upon.
“However, it will not be surprising if the three committees face a long and rocky road with many bumps ahead. As has been raised, will the committees be reviewing MA63 itself or the rights of Sabah and Sarawak under the Federal Constitution?” added Edward.
“The first tricky question for the committees is who will be representing the government of the Federation of Malaya?”
This is more so since Article VIII of the MA63 specifically spells out that the governments of the Federation of Malaya, North Borneo ( Sabah) and Sarawak are to act and implement the assurances, undertakings and recommendations therein, Edward explained.
The 16-member steering committee headed by the prime minister will have eight federal ministers, one of which is from Sarawak, the Chief Ministers and State Attorney- Generals of Sabah and Sarawak, the Chief Secretary and the Federal Attorney- General and a constitutional law professor.
Meanwhile, the technical committee is to be headed by de facto Law Minister, who is from Sabah, and said to comprise all the 31 and 25 members of
However, it will not be surprising if the three committees face a long and rocky road with many bumps ahead. As has been raised, will the committees be reviewing MA63 itself or the rights of Sabah and Sarawak under the Federal Constitution? Edward Linggu, Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku deputy president
parliament from Sarawak and Sabah respectively and probably none from Peninsular Malaysia.
“Interestingly, who will be representing the government of Malaya in the steering committee as there is no chief minister of Malaya while Sabah and Sarawak will be represented by their respective chief ministers and State AGs,” asked Edward.
“And will all the 165 members of parliament from Malaya ( Peninsular Malaysia) be added to the technical committee since Sabah and Sarawak will be represented by all their 25 and 31 MPs?”
Edward was a key speaker for the United Borneo Front ( UBF) on MA63 during their Borneo Tea Parties.
Through a press statement issued in Kota Kinabalu, the former PBS Tamparuli assemblyman said he was delighted that MA63 is now mainstream news and up for review.
He pointed out that in his early UBF days, this news was taboo and he had been tracked by members of the Special Branch since 2010 when raising issues over MA63.