Kota Kinabalu: The Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) must be fully and decisively implemented before the next general election to safeguard Sabah and Sarawak’s rights within the Federation, Senator Datuk Bobbey Suan (pic) said.
He said that after five years of repeated debates in Parliament and the Dewan Negara, the time had come for a final decision in line with the Constitution and the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s call for territorial rights to be resolved comprehensively and harmoniously.
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Bobbey said MA63 formed the basis of Malaysia’s establishment, uniting Malaya, Sabah and Sarawak in a sovereign Federation, and therefore regional rights as enshrined in the Federal Constitution must be respected and implemented responsibly.
“Any differences over MA63 should be settled maturely through institutional dialogue and legal channels, with the Federal Government acting openly, professionally and constructively for national unity,” he said during the debate on the Royal Address in the Dewan Negara.
On petroleum, he said although it was not explicitly stated in MA63, it was closely linked to the framework for the sharing of powers and revenue between the Federation and the regions.
“Sabah and Sarawak are major contributors to the national oil and gas industry. When this issue is raised, it is not a threat to the Federation but a legitimate rights-based claim that should be negotiated in a structured and mature manner,” he said.
He also cited the stand of Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Haji Noor, who has stressed that the 40 per cent share of net Federal revenue due to Sabah should be implemented in accordance with Articles 112C and 112D and the Tenth Schedule of the Federal Constitution.
Bobbey said the claim was grounded in fiscal justice and equitable development, especially as Sabah still faced basic challenges such as water and electricity supply and road infrastructure.
Beyond MA63, he stressed the need to strengthen integrity and address growing digital security threats, including online fraud, which directly affected public well-being.
He said present-day security threats were no longer confined to physical borders but had intensified in the digital space, including the spread of false information, deepfake manipulation, extremism and cybercrime.
Bobbey said the Royal Address called for sustained commitment to institutional reform, strengthened integrity, security assurance and responsible implementation of the spirit of MA63.
“A nation will only truly progress when power is exercised with trust, institutions are strengthened without bias, the people are protected from new threats and justice is balanced between the Federation and the regions,” he said.
