Kuala Lumpur: Tuaran MP Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau
(pic) proposed three measures to the Federal Government to ensure Sabah’s rights and autonomy are respected as a founding partner of Malaysia.
Speaking during the debate on the Environmental Quality Act 1975 (Amendment) Bill 2026 in the Dewan Rakyat here recently, he expressed support for the amendment but stressed that the spirit of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) must not be overlooked.
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“Behind this framework that appears technical lies a larger question about power, about rights and about the future of our state (Sabah),” he said.
Madius proposed that the Federal Government ensure formal consultation with the Sabah Government before exercising powers in the state, establish a Federal-State joint committee for enforcement in Sabah and include a clause stating that the amendment does not affect state powers over land, forestry and natural resources as guaranteed under MA63.
He said Sabah agreed to form Malaysia in 1963 together with Sarawak, the Federation of Malaya and Singapore not as a subordinate state but as a founding partner with autonomy in matters such as land, local government, forestry and natural resources.
