Fifteen issues monitored by the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) Special Council have still not been resolved, said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Sabah and Sarawak Affairs) Maximus Ongkili.

He said the issues include the territories’ authority over health issues, the environment, the labour force, and land ownership rights.

“Most are already passed to the committee (MA63 Special Council Committee). There are ongoing matters still under discussion. For example, the issue of grants under Act 112(1) of the Federal Constitution with Sarawak.

“Discussions have started but there has been no decision yet on how much there is to be reviewed regarding the refund (for oil royalties and petroleum cash refunds).

“Besides, the additional Sabah and Sarawak parliamentary seats are also still under discussion,” he said.

He was speaking at a media conference after attending a forum titled “MA63: From the perspective of the millenial generation” at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak in Kota Samarahan today.

He said among other issues that have not been fully resolved is the review of special grants (Article 112D of the Federal Constitution) for Sarawak and the gas and electricity regulatory authority of Sabah.

Meanwhile, when asked whether the distribution of 35 percent of parliamentary seats in Sabah and Sarawak should be maintained without following the population size, Maximus said it is up to the Election Commission (EC).

He said the more important thing is that the goal for the two territories to regain the percentage of seats as stated in the Malaysia Agreement is achieved.

“The main objective is to return the 30 to 35 percent rights. The ratio used by the EC focuses on population and urbanisation, however, the important thing is that aspirations and terms such as the agreement are returned,” he said.

He also hopes that more programmes explaining the formation of Malaysia and the goals of MA63 can be held at higher education institutes, whether on the peninsula or Sabah and Sarawak.

- Bernama

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