Kota Kinabalu: Sabah ministers Datuk Armizan Ali and Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup will be included in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) technical committee and the Implementation Action Council at the national level, said Sabah Pakatan Harapan (PH) chief Datuk Mustapha Sakmud.
Mustapha, who is also Sabah PKR chief, was earlier announced as the new head of the PH Sabah coalition.
The position had remained vacant following the exit of United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation ahead of the 17th state election in November last year.
Speaking after a meeting with PH component parties DAP, Amanah and PKR on Sunday, he said the coalition also agreed to appoint Abdul Razak Jamil as Sec-Gen and Zaidi Jatil as Youth Chief, while retaining Datuk Jannie Lasimbang as Women’s Chief and DAP Sabah Chairman Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe as Deputy Chairman.
Mustapha said discussions focused heavily on MA63 matters, particularly Sabah’s 40 per cent entitlement, with party leaders’ views to be channelled to the technical committee and future cabinet deliberations.
He added that another technical committee meeting is scheduled for February 23 involving federal, Sabah and Sarawak representatives, to be chaired by Deputy Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusuf.
The special committee is currently examining issues linked to Sabah’s so-called “Lost Years”, a term used to describe the period when the state argues it did not fully receive its constitutional revenue entitlements, particularly the promised 40pc net under MA63.
He reiterated that two meetings co-chaired by the state secretariat and the federal treasury secretary general have already been held, and a dedicated task force was formed to study historical claims, legal interpretations, and financial calculations tied to that period.
He said the committee’s findings will be presented at the next meeting for further discussion and action.
Phoong meanwhile said the coalition viewed the 40 per cent issue as urgent and central to Sabah’s political priorities.
“This is a critical issue, particularly the 40 per cent entitlement, and cannot be overlooked.
“We have full confidence in our Sabah and Sarawak ministers to find solutions. PH is committed to resolving this urgently, prioritising it at both federal and state levels, and pressing the federal government to recognise it as a top priority for the people of Sabah,” he said.
