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KOTA KINABALU: Most of the interpretation and information on Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) found on social media are not accurate and have caused confusion among the people, including Sabahans.
Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia said the people need to get the correct facts if they want to understand the real content of MA63.
This, he said, included going through all the historical documents and events recorded, in terms of the inclusion of Sabah and Sarawak, and the formation of Malaysia.
Talking to reporters after a public forum on 20-Point and MA63 here, he said this was one of the reasons why the forum was held today.
“There are so many things we read these days in social media; there’s active bloggers and WhatsApp groups talking about MA63 and the history of independence.
“Some have come up with their own interpretation on the Cobbold Commission, the Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC) report and such, leading to deflected ideas that plays into the minds of younger generation who might not understand the context and hardship faced in the effort to gain independence,” said Pandikar.
The event, organised by Pertubuhan Gabungan Idea Pembangunan Sabah (GIP) at SM Kian Kok school hall here, was attended by about 300 people.
“Even back then when the formation of Malaysia was suggested, there were three different factions.
“The first one agreed without any conditions, the second supported with conditions, and the third faction was split into two groups – those who did not want to be in Malaysia and want to continue under the British rule, and those who want Sabah to gain independence on its own.
“Opinions back then were diverse and it is no different from today when there are unsatisfied quarters... However, we cannot say that they represented the majority.
“What is important is that we provide accurate information to the general public,” he explained.
He said among the confusion was on a paragraph in MA63 agreement that was amended in later years following Singapore’s withdrawal from Malaysia.
“Some people were saying that Sabah’s status have been taken away but that is an incorrect assessment. This was because Sabah and Sarawak were already at the same level as the other states and not (with) the Federation (of Malaya). This must be explained,” said Pandikar.
Likewise, he said the recent news of Sarawak government sending a team of lawyers to review documents pertaining to MA63 have also been misinterpreted wrongly and gave the impression that there were new sets of documents not revealed previously.
Pandikar also rebuked claims that the Federal government was not bringing progress to Sabah and Sarawak.
“We were not suppressed then. In fact, we were given extra autonomy which other states in the Peninsular don't have and this was not articulated most of the time.” he added.