KOTA KINABALU – Discussions on the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) must become part of the national narrative instead of being viewed as an issue concerning only Sabah and Sarawak, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
He said this was important as the implementation of matters under MA63 represented a national commitment that should be understood by all Malaysians.
Anwar said discussions on MA63 should no longer be treated as a sectoral issue where matters concerning Sabah and Sarawak had to be addressed separately each year.
“I have proposed that discussions on MA63 be made part of the national narrative. This is very important because otherwise, it becomes sectoral, and every year we have to hold a special discussion on Sabah and Sarawak.
“This is a national commitment. It is about development, stability and what we promised when Malaya gained independence in 1957 and when Malaysia was formed in 1963. This must be established as a national narrative,” he said.
Anwar said this at a press conference after chairing the 2026 Malaysia Agreement 1963 Implementation Action Council (MTPMA63) meeting at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) here on Friday.
The meeting was also attended by Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak) Datuk Mustapha Sakmud.
Anwar said Malaysians should be encouraged to view MA63 beyond the interests of any particular race, political party or group, and instead see it as part of efforts to strengthen the country.
“We need to encourage Malaysians not to talk only about their own race, party or group, but to discuss this as part of a broader discourse that strengthens the country.
“So, I greatly appreciate this meeting. We have made it clear that this is a national commitment and a national policy,” he said.
Anwar said the same approach should be adopted when understanding the Federal Government’s considerations involving Sabah and Sarawak, including increased allocations and matters under Article 112D of the Federal Constitution.
He said people in Peninsular Malaysia should not view such measures as special treatment given exclusively to Sabah and Sarawak.
“For example, when we increase allocations or address Article 112D for Sarawak and Sabah, in this case Sabah, people in Peninsular Malaysia should not think that this is some special consideration given to Sarawak. It is not.
“So, I hope our friends in Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah and Sarawak can accept this. It is a ‘national policy, national commitment and national narrative’,” he said.
Meanwhile, Abang Johari backed Anwar’s approach that MA63 should be treated as a national matter.
He said the approach would help align the provisions of the Federal Constitution with the country’s unity and overall development.
“I support the Prime Minister’s approach that MA63 is a national matter.
“We want to align what is provided for in the Constitution with the unity of Malaysia as a country, as a united Malaysia that will continue our efforts to develop the country as a whole,” he said.
Abang Johari described the approach as practical in ensuring that the implementation of matters under MA63 moves in tandem with Malaysia’s wider national interests.