PH to keep its word on MA63
In an interview Anwar assures the federal government’s commitment to restoring the state’s rights under MA63 and gave candid views on reforms, Umno and Dr Mahathir
We are committed to enhancing such powers for the states — which is devolution from an over-centralised federal government. But as I said, the details have to be worked out.
KUCHING: The Pakatan Harapan ( PH) government is committed to restoring the autonomous powers of Sarawak and Sabah in line with Malaysia Agreement 1963 ( MA63).
PH advisor Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim gave this assurance in an exclusive interview with Oriental Daily on Tuesday in which he also fielded questions posed by The Borneo Post on the way forward vis- à-vis the devolution process.
“We are committed to enhancing such powers for the states — which is devolution from an overcentralised federal government. But as I said, the details have to be worked out,” he stressed.
In Buku Harapan ( PH Election Manifesto), PH has declared it will adhere to the true spirit of the Malaysia Agreement 1963, based on mutually agreed special clauses.
The immediate task is to set up a Cabinet Committee, consisting of representatives from the Peninsula, Sabah and Sarawak, who have expertise in relevant matters to review and monitor the fair implementation of MA63 within the first 100 days of PH administration and to submit detailed reports to t he
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, PH advisor
government within six months of the Committee’s formation for immediate execution.
However, Anwar, in assuring that promises will be fulfilled, cautioned the empowerment should not empower corruption.
“My friends in Sarawak and Sabah know we want their states to be empowered but not to em power corruption. As you decentralise power from the federal to the province, in the process, you decentralise corruption.
“So that’s our concern. There is no problem of giving powers — we make sure the financial disciplines are observed because the reforms start from KL, Putrajaya. So the reforms must continue to other areas,” he said.
The Cabinet Committee’s main tasks, as listed in Buku Harapan, include:
Review and propose measures to rectify the status of Malaysia Agreement 1963 based on current legislations.
Efforts to enhance the understanding of the people on the 1963 Malaysia Agreement through the national education system.
Implementation of the concept of federalism for the three territories within Malaysia.
The rights of Sabah and Sarawak to revenues from their natural resources such as oil and gas.
The administrative rights — the share of funds that rightfully belong to Sabah and Sarawak Rumours quashed
Anwar quashed rumours Sarawak is joining the PH government, saying instead the PH government should work with the state government.
“Nobody says they are joining. They have been elected and we have to accept for now that they have the mandate, so we work with them.
“However, they ( Sarawak government) also have to work with the federal government and understand as well that they have a federal government with new policies,” he added.
A transcript of the interview on selected pertinent issues is published in the Q and A on Page 2. The answers have been edited briefly for grammar and clarity.