KUNAK: The Sabah Government will continue to pursue claims and outstanding issues under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), including Sabah’s entitlement to 40 per cent of net revenue.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Haji Noor said the matter would be discussed at a meeting on the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), to be chaired by the Prime Minister this Friday, with Sabah as the host.
“At the meeting, we will discuss the claims and issues under MA63 that still need to be resolved,” he told reporters after a working visit to the Kunak Lipids Sdn Bhd Phytonutrient Extraction Plant here today.
Hajiji said the Sabah Government was grateful to the Prime Minister as nine matters under MA63 had been resolved during his administration, with the relevant powers also devolved to Sabah.
“Previously, four matters had been resolved, bringing the total to 13. However, there are still other matters outstanding, including the 40 per cent payment,” he said.
According to him, the Federal Government had agreed to the 40 per cent payment claim, although several technical issues still needed to be resolved.
“They have agreed, but there may still be some technical issues that have been raised. This is a normal process because there is an appeal process, but it does not affect the decision for us to receive the 40 per cent payment,” he said.
Hajiji said the outstanding matters would be brought up again for consideration at subsequent MA63 meetings or negotiations.
On a related development concerning the State’s economic development, Hajiji also welcomed the progress of the Kunak Lipids Sdn Bhd Phytonutrient Extraction Plant project, which is nearing completion and expected to begin producing vitamin E before the end of this year.
He said the plant represented a positive development as a supplementary activity and business venture for the Sawit Kinabalu Group, with palm-based materials used in its production.
“I am very pleased with the briefing earlier from Sawit Kinabalu and its partner company. The plant being built to produce vitamin E is almost complete and will begin production before the end of the year.
“This is a very positive development as an additional activity and business venture for the Sawit Kinabalu Group. All these products are made from palm-based materials and others,” he said.
Hajiji said the project was believed to be the first of its kind in Malaysia and hoped it would help increase the revenue of Sawit Kinabalu and its partner company.
“I think this is the first in Malaysia. So, this is a good development. Hopefully, it will help increase the revenue of Sawit Kinabalu as well as its partner company,” he said.
Earlier, Hajiji and his entourage were welcomed upon arrival at the plant by Sawit Kinabalu Chairman Datuk Haji Hazem Mubarak Tun Dr Musa and Sawit Kinabalu Group Managing Director cum Group Chief Executive Officer Datuk Victor Ationg.
Kunak Lipids Sdn Bhd is a subsidiary of the Sawit Kinabalu Group which operates the Phytonutrient Extraction Plant in Kunak.-pr/BNN
