KUCHING: Sabah welcomes the announcement by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim that negotiations over outstanding issues in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) have been concluded and measures would be implemented soon.
"The only issue is on technicalities and we look forward to working with the federal government to ensure all our demands are fully resolved," said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor," he said in a statement.
Hajiji said the Sabah government also welcomed the prime minister's acknowledgment that Malaysia comprised three entities Sabah, Sarawak and the peninsula, as stated in the MA63.
He had earlier attended the MA63 Implementation Action Council (MTPMA63) meeting with Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Dr Abang Johari Openg chaired by the prime minister at the Sarawak assembly building here today.
Accompanying Hajiji were Sabah state secretary Datuk Seri SafarUntong, state Attorney-General Datuk Nor Asiah Mohd Yusof and Finance Ministry Permanent Secretary Datuk Mohd Sofian Alfian Nair.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Fadillah Yusof and Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Sabah and Sarawak Affairs) Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali were also present.
The MTPMA63 had agreed with the formula on the special grant for Sabah and Sarawak under Article 112D of the Federal Constitution.
During the meeting, Hajiji had asked the Federal Government to expedite the review of Article 112D of the Federal Constitution pertaining to 40 per cent revenue sharing and special grant.
Hajiji also said Sabah rejected the Territorial Sea Act 2012, which limits the state's maritime boundary to only three nautical miles.
"The Act has impeded Sabah's ability to impose its own laws on matters beyond three nautical miles. For example, cases involving Sabah sales tax and Sabah authorities' power on immigration issues.
"Sabah opined that its sea boundary should be more than 200 nautical miles per the North Borneo (Alteration of Boundaries) Order in Council 1954," he said.
On the handing over of the electricity regulatory power to Sabah, Hajiji was grateful for the sensitivity of the prime minister in wanting to get it finalised by Jan 1, 2024.
On Sabah's request for the construction of a Customs, Immigration, Quarantine and Security (CIQS) facility, as well as roads at the Malaysia-Indonesia border in Bantul (Pensiangan) and Serudong (Kalabakan) to be given special consideration to take advantage of the shifting of Indonesia capital to Kalimantan, Anwar said an allocation of RM1billion had been given to carry out initial works.
"The Sabah government has complete confidence and trust that under Anwar's leadership, Sabah's MA63 demands will be resolved amicably soon.
"This is for the mutual benefit of both state and federal governments in our efforts to bring progress and prosperity throughout the country for people."