Shafie: More time needed to sort out MA63

KOTA KINABALU: It will take time to settle the rights Sabah sought under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) as there are a lot of issues to be resolved with the federal government, says Chief Minister Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal

These issues included the conflicting powers of the state and federal government that needs a proper system to be put in place, he added, during the state legislative assembly sitting here yesterday.

Shafie said an example was the overlapping of powers in project delivery in the Public Works Department that ended up with imbalanced results.

“Take the 130 or so schools that are in need of repairs and upgrading work.

“Those under the federal (comprising about 30 schools) are delayed or abandoned, while those taken under the state Public Works Department are carried out smoothly,” he added.

He also said that over the past five decades, many of Sabah’s rights and entitled executive powers such as education and health have all been diluted.

“That is why we need to properly analyse and look into these matters before,” he said, adding that he will ensure that the state will get back its rights under MA63.

Shafie said the state welcomed all constructive suggestions on MA63, which will be compiled and presented to the special committee overseeing the implementation of the agreement.

The committee comprises members from Sabah, Sarawak, the federal government and other government agencies and departments as well as the Institute for Development Studies Sabah (IDS).

They will need six months to deliberate on the matter.