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KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said the view expressed by Law and Institutional Reform Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said on the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) reflects her personal opinion.

He said this when asked to comment on Azalina’s recent remarks that MA63 does not contain provisions on the ownership, management or regulation of oil and gas resources, which she argued are governed instead by the Petroleum Development Act 1974 that places such rights under Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas).

Azalina also said MA63 is silent on petroleum matters and does not define the roles of petroleum-related entities, adding that issues involving gas distribution are currently before the Federal Court and the government will abide by its decision.

Her comments have drawn criticism from East Malaysian lawmakers and activists, who argue that MA63 should be interpreted based on the principle of residual powers and the spirit of safeguarding Sabah and Sarawak’s autonomy as founding partners of the Federation.