Sarawak outlines top priorities in MA63 talks
Sarawak said it remains committed to ensuring that the rights and entitlements of the state are fully upheld. (Bernama pic)
KUCHING : The Sarawak government has outlined two key demands under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) as its top priorities in negotiations with the federal government.
Deputy minister in the Sarawak premier's department (law, MA63 and state-federal relations) Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali said these included the need to expedite discussions on the special grant formula under Article 112D of the Federal Constitution.
She said Sarawak was also looking into the matter of increasing its number of parliamentary seats, to better reflect the spirit and intent of MA63.
'These issues have been brought up regularly by the Sarawak government through official meetings and negotiation platforms, including the Mesyuarat Majlis Tindakan Pelaksanaan Perjanjian Malaysia 1963.
'The Sarawak government remains committed to ensuring that the rights and entitlements of the state are fully upheld in accordance with the Federal Constitution, MA63 and the Inter-Governmental Committee Report,' she said during the question-and-answer session at the Sarawak state assembly sitting today.
Sharifah Hasidah was responding to a question from Lidam Assan (GPS-Katibas) on the negotiation status of MA63 for Sarawak.
She said the Sarawak government had partially resolved matters in respect of the financial review under Article 112D of the Federal Constitution.
She said as an interim arrangement, the federal government had agreed to increase the amount of the special grant for Sarawak from RM300 million to RM600 million for a period of five years.
'Nevertheless, the Sarawak government strongly urges that negotiations on the special grant formula be expedited, in the spirit of partnership and in recognition of Sarawak's constitutional rights under the Federal Constitution and MA63,' she said.
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