KUCHING, 15 Dec: The low-hanging fruits of the outstanding matters in the Malaysia Agreement (MA63) can be resolved as soon as possible, assured Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Law, MA63 and State-Federal Relations) Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali.
Hasidah said that this was to ensure that every agreement enshrined in MA63 are fulfilled in stages to bring about significant changes in Sarawak.
“There are many negotiations that are time-consuming to resolve the outstanding MA63 issues. Particularly, in making amendments to the Federal Constitution.
“For instance, Sarawak is pursuing negotiations for special grants through a joint consultative committee under the Special Committee on MA63 as well as having the state’s representative in the Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia (LHDN) under Article 112 (D) of the Federal Constitution. These matters can be resolved immediately upon mutual principle,” she told this to reporters at an event today.
Hasidah further pointed out that apart from the low-hanging fruits, the demand of 35 percent of parliamentary seats to East Malaysia requires amendment to the constitution.
Thus, hope that matters related to the agreement could be expedited.
When asked on the trip to London by the state’s legal team for a fact-finding mission on MA63 previously, Hasidah revealed that the team’s finding is to confirm facts through several documents in the archives there.
“There are documents such as meeting minutes and what our past leaders have discussed before the formation of the country. We are able to discover mutual agreements and our rights pertaining to MA63.
Hasidah also said she has been communicating with the Deputy Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Fadillah on the matters pertaining the agreement.
“He will represent Sarawak on his part at the federal level. So we will communicate closely and discuss the issue,” added Hasidah. – TVS
