MA63 anchors equal partnership, safeguards Sarawak, Sabah rights within Federation of M’sia

By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, Oct 8: The Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) stands as a powerful symbol of equal partnership that has, for more than six decades, safeguarded the position, autonomy, and rights of Sarawak and Sabah within the Federation of Malaysia.

In a Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas) report, Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Department (Law, MA63 and State-Federal Relations), Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali, emphasised that MA63 is not merely a historical document, but the very foundation upon which Malaysia’s federal system was built, one that guarantees balance, respect, and mutual recognition among its partners.

“Our federation was not established for one party to dominate another. It was founded on partnership.

“It does not demand uniformity but respects diversity. It is not based on centralisation of power, but on a balanced framework that protects the rights and interests of Sarawak and Sabah for future generations,” she stressed when officiating the International Legal Talk Series Programme on Tuesday (Oct 7).

Sharifah Hasidah further underscored that MA63 remains a living commitment, a guiding principle for ensuring that national policies and laws remain true to the spirit of equal partnership on which Malaysia was formed.

“No one party should dominate the other because Malaysia was created on the foundation of partnership.

“MA63 is not just a historical document. It is the cornerstone of the Federation’s formation, encompassing the carefully negotiated terms that gave birth to Malaysia as a nation. Therefore, MA63 is the most important document for Malaysia,” she said.

She also highlighted that the ongoing negotiations between the Sarawak and federal governments have resulted in several significant achievements, including the constitutional amendments to Article 1(2) and Article 160(2) of the Federal Constitution, which are both crucial in reaffirming the status and equality of Sarawak and Sabah within the Federation.

The event was also graced by the Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Department (Corporate Affairs, Information and Ukas) Datuk Abdullah Saidol, Sarawak Attorney General Dato Sri Saferi Ali, Sabah Attorney General Datuk Brenndon Keith Soh, Tupong assemblyman Dato Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman and Sarawak Sovereign Wealth Future Fund Board deputy chairman Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Leonard Linggi Tun Jugah,.

Also in attendance were two distinguished academics, Professor Michael Leigh and Professor Andrew Harding, who shared their insights on the evolution of federalism, constitutional rights, and the pivotal role of MA63 in strengthening Sarawak and Sabah’s position within the Malaysian federation. — DayakDaily

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