Without MA63, there is no Malaysia - Ongkili tells Dewan Rakyat
PARLIAMENT | Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Sabah and Sarawak Affairs) Maximus Ongkili has dismissed the proposal to have a new agreement to replace the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
"The MA63 is the foundation of the formation of the federation of Malaysia. Without MA63, there is no Malaysia. MA63 is the same as the oath stone," he told Dewan Rakyat during the Minister's Question Time session...
PARLIAMENT | Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Sabah and Sarawak Affairs) Maximus Ongkili has dismissed the proposal to have a new agreement to replace the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
"The MA63 is the foundation of the formation of the federation of Malaysia. Without MA63, there is no Malaysia. MA63 is the same as the oath stone," he told Dewan Rakyat during the Minister's Question Time session today.
Ongkili (above) added that any change in the MA63 will deviate from the formation of Malaysia as enshrined in the Federal Constitution.
Without naming any politician, he said any views are misleading, misguided and inconsistent with the constitutional amendments.
"When the MA63 is ignored, it is like turning your back on the federation of Malaysia," he told Mohd Azis Jamman (Warisan-Sepanggar).
"Without MA63, there will be no reference and basis to discuss issues that can benefit Sabah and Sarawak. We should instead focus on issues such as compliance with the agreement, and conferment of rights. It is our responsibility to ensure that they are implemented.
"We should unite to build our strength, peace and unity in this country for the sake of our children and great-grandchildren,” added Ongkili, who is also Kota Marudu MP.
Azis earlier asked the government to respond to the proposal brought by politicians regarding the need for a new agreement to replace the MA63 and the implications for Sabah and Sarawak regions if the MA63 is cancelled.
‘Times have changed’
BN deputy chairperson Mohamad Hasan, when addressing the BN Sabah Convention in Penampang recently, suggested that the state BN leadership propose a new Malaysia agreement as a more concrete way forward to realise the state's rights and demands enshrined in the existing MA63.
"We must have a way out of this issue. It has been going on for so long and the people of Sabah want a concrete way forward. At this current level of negotiation, I don’t think it will lead to the expected understanding and agreement," the Umno deputy president had said.
"Maybe we need a new agreement. In my opinion, the spirit and aspiration of MA63 are in a very different context. Times have changed. Malaysia is also a lot different now.
“The future is full of secrets and extraordinary potential. We must look at everything in the context of the future, no longer looking at the historical past."
Sabahan leaders have been negotiating with federal officials on reinstating the state’s rights under the 1963 agreement which they said have been neglected.
Are you sure you want to delete this comment?
This action cannot be undone.