KUALA LUMPUR: Sabah needs a renewed commitment to the comprehensive resolution of all matters related to the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), not only emphasizing the need to resolve the 16 outstanding issues, but also other matters that have not been brought to the fore, such as the State border – Article 1(3) of the Federal Constitution, other revenues that should be paid to Sabah and Sarawak according to Schedule 10, Article 8 of MA63 – and so on, asserted the Member of Parliament for Keningau, Datuk Seri Panglima Dr. Jeffrey G. Kitingan in a press statement today.
Dr. Jeffrey expressed deep concerns by the people in Sabah about the slowness and lack of assertiveness in addressing MA63 issues especially on the 40% net revenues and oil and gas. He opined that mere public statements are insufficient and require a concrete and structured action plan within MA63 and the Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC) Report. Failure to act promptly risks prolonging these issues for another 63 years.
Dr. Jeffrey emphatically stated, “Immediate action is needed. For example, to implement the court’s decision on the payment of the 40% Net Revenue rights as enshrined in Articles 112C and 112D of the Federal Constitution.”
He emphasized that these revenues are essential to finance Sabah’s development and basic needs of its people, including welfare, health, and education. In addition, it will enable the Sabah State Government to optimally develop its economic and trade potentials, improve on the basic infrastructure and proper development of its people.
“Unless we adopt a new results-oriented attitude and decision-making with regular guided meetings, we will continue to go around in the same circle as we have for the past 63 years!” he stressed.
Dr. Jeffrey played a key role as the Sabah State Government’s representative in both the MA63 Special Council (MKMA63, 2020-2022) and the current MA63 Implementation Action Council (MTPMA63) before the State elections.
He has been a leading voice, consistently raising Sabah’s claims, such as the 40% net revenues, oil and gas and increase in petroleum sales tax, cash payment of oil royalty compensation, the return of maritime jurisdiction rights, and the implementation of consultation before action as enshrined in MA63.
Dr. Jeffrey continues to be an advocate for Sabah’s claims and a ‘watchdog,’ and has openly stated Sabah’s position and criticised the slow implementation of, among other things; the claim for payment of petroleum sales tax for Sabah, the 40% net revenues under Articles 112C and 112D of the Federal Constitution, the claim on 10% export duties on crude petroleum in lieu of royalties up to 10% ad valorem value and the adjustment of the development allocations distribution formula to 50:25:25 and unspent allocations to be remitted to the State government’s trust account, and the return of jurisdiction such as energy, ports, tourism, and the environment.
A few days ago, the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department for Sabah and Sarawak Affairs, Datuk Mustapha Sakmud, in response to a question from the Member of Parliament for Tuaran, Datuk Seri Panglima Madius Tangau, said that the government has developed an MA63 Implementation Status Dashboard integrated online through the official BHESS portal, allowing stakeholders to access accurate and real-time information and serving as a central platform to monitor MA63 implementation.
Mustapha said that the Madani Government will continue to ensure that the implementation of MA63 is carried out prudently, inclusively and in the spirit of the Federation of Malaysia, to strengthen the position of Sabah and Sarawak in nation-building.-pr/BNN
