KOTA KINABALU: Sabah and Sarawak’s constitutional rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) must be turned into a decisive election issue rather than left solely to the courts, former Sabah chief minister Salleh Said Keruak said.
He noted that key matters involving MA63 and state rights are currently before the courts and could take time to be resolved through multiple levels of appeal.
“Waiting for court decisions alone is not enough. These issues must also be addressed politically. In a democracy, real change requires a clear mandate from the people,” he said in a statement.
Salleh stressed that East Malaysia’s parliamentary strength should be used strategically, pointing out that Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan together hold 57 of the 222 seats in Parliament, making them crucial in forming the federal government.
“In many cases, no federal government can be formed without this support… strong numbers create bargaining power. Without it, demands can be delayed. With it, these issues become central,” he said.
He added that priorities should include the full implementation of MA63, fair revenue arrangements such as the 40 per cent entitlement, greater administrative autonomy and balanced development.
“The courts define rights, but implementation depends on political will. These issues must be decided by the people and turned into clear commitments in election manifestos,” he said.
