MA63 Must Remain Part Of National Narrative - Mustapha Sakmud

KOTA KINABALU, Sept 16 (Bernama) -- The Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) must continue to be upheld as part of the national narrative to ensure that the spirit behind the formation of Malaysia is reflected in the lives of every citizen.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Sabah and Sarawak) Datuk Mustapha Sakmud said the implementation of MA63 was among the MADANI Government's commitments to ensure that the rights and interests of Sabah and Sarawak continued to receive attention based on the Federal Constitution.

"MA63 should not be a narrative solely for Sabah and Sarawak. MA63 is a national narrative. That is the true meaning of a federation," he said in a message in conjunction with Malaysia Day 2026 today.

He said one of the significant developments in the implementation of MA63 was the agreement in principle on increasing the number of parliamentary seats for Sabah and Sarawak, taking into account the need for a ratio and representation that reflects both regions in the composition of the Dewan Rakyat.

"This increase is not merely about numbers, but about ensuring that the voices of the people of Borneo are taken into account in important national policy decisions," he said.

Mustapha said positive developments had also been achieved in efforts to increase the participation of Sabahans and Sarawakians in Federal posts in Sabah and Sarawak, in addition to the Federal Government's serious attention to Sabah's Special Grant under Articles 112C and 112D of the Federal Constitution.

He said Sabah's Interim Special Grant for 2026 had been increased to RM1.5 billion from RM600 million previously, with the remaining RM900 million to be implemented this year.

"However, it must be understood that the implementation of Sabah's 40 per cent entitlement does not end with the interim payment. Instead, it will continue in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution," he said.

"This is the Malaysia MADANI approach. We choose negotiation over confrontation. We choose solutions over slogans," he said.

Meanwhile, he said the Sabah and Sarawak Affairs Division (BHESS) would collaborate with the Malaysian Parliament Backbenchers' Club (BBC) to establish Friends of BHESS to broaden understanding of MA63 among Members of Parliament and Senators.

Touching on the spirit of Malaysia Day, he said the celebration should serve as a platform to strengthen unity, with differences in political affiliation and opinions embraced within the framework of mature democracy.

"Malaysian politics must move forward by embracing all citizens of this sovereign nation. Let us uphold the principle of seeking common ground and respecting the differences among us," he said.

Mustapha said Malaysia Day reminded the people that the country was built collectively by various regions and communities.

"Malaysia Day reminds us that this country was not built by one region or one race alone. Malaysia was built together. Therefore, we must also defend Malaysia together," he said.

-- BERNAMA