KUALA LUMPUR: Sabah needs a renewed commitment to comprehensively resolve all matters related to the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), including the 16 outstanding issues and other matters such as the State border under Article 1(3) of the Federal Constitution, revenues payable under Schedule 10 and Article 8 of MA63, said Keningau MP Datuk Seri Jeffrey Kitingan (
pic) on Wednesday.
He said there is deep concern among Sabahans over the slowness and lack of assertiveness in addressing MA63 issues, particularly the 40 per cent net revenue entitlement and oil and gas matters, adding that public statements must be backed by a concrete and structured action plan within MA63 and the Inter-Governmental Committee Report (IGCC).
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Jeffrey, who is also Star president, said immediate action is needed, including implementing the court’s decision on payment of the 40 per cent net revenue rights as enshrined in Articles 112C and 112D of the Federal Constitution, stressing that without a results-oriented approach and regular guided meetings, the issues risk continuing as they have for the past 63 years.
He said the revenues are essential to finance Sabah’s development and basic needs, including welfare, health and education, while enabling the State Government to develop its economic and trade potential, improve infrastructure and advance its people, adding that he has consistently raised claims on the 40 per cent net revenues, oil and gas, petroleum sales tax, oil royalty compensation, maritime jurisdiction rights and other related matters.
A few days earlier, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak Affairs) Datuk Mustapha Sakmud said in Parliament, in reply to Tuaran MP Datuk Seri Madius Tangau, that the government has developed an MA63 Implementation Status Dashboard integrated online through the official BHESS portal, and that the Madani Government will continue to ensure implementation is carried out prudently, inclusively and in the spirit of the Federation of Malaysia.
