Hasil Sabah, petroleum Sarawak dan kerusi Parlimen tumpuan mesyuarat MA63

Several key issues are expected to be discussed during Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's meeting with Abang Johari Openg and Hajiji Noor at the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) implementation conference in Kota Kinabalu. The conference follows the approaching Malaysian National Day celebrations and features the Premiers of Sarawak and Sabah, who will voice their respective demands.

The meeting coincides with the National Unity Party (BN) discussing the party's political agenda, including their stance on the unity government, while PAS leaders face different treatment compared to PH. Although Umno has not yet decided to leave the government, their participation in the PAS-Pakatan Harapan (PH) dialogue is becoming more crucial for maintaining political stability in Malaysia.

Abang Johari Openg and Hajiji Noor are advocating for greater representation for Sabah and Sarawak in the Malaysian Parliament, based on the original 1963 constitution, which allocated 55 seats or around 34% of the total 159 parliamentary seats to these two states. However, political analysts remind that Malaysia did not guarantee these states continued allocation of one-third of the parliamentary seats after Singapore's exit from Malaysia.

The aim is to transition from being mere "kingmakers" to possessing a more robust and structural influence in Putrajaya, rather than merely capitalizing on political tensions on the Peninsula. Analyst James Chin suggests that the addition of parliamentary seats for Sabah and Sarawak could strengthen the relationship between the federal government and the Sarawak National Front (GPS) and Sabah People's Alliance (GRS).

However, it is unlikely to be achieved before the end of the year, as it requires amendments in Parliament and must be considered alongside a broader revision of electoral reforms. The petroleum dispute is also expected to be a significant topic during the meeting, with former Law Minister Zaid Ibrahim warning that MA63 should not be used as a platform to negotiate petroleum rights, and suggesting that the matter should be decided through the courts.

Senator Ahmad Ibrahim dismisses the claim that Anwar's discussions with Sarawak and Sabah are merely a political exchange involving oil and gas rights, emphasizing that discussions must focus on the relevant laws. Economist Samirul Ariff Othman agrees that discussions with Sabah and Sarawak regarding MA63 should not be viewed as a political maneuver or premature conclusions on a matter still under judicial consideration.

He stresses that while Sabah and Sarawak have a legitimate claim to a larger share of the petroleum revenue, the nation's federal, state, and Petronas roles must be clearly defined. Sabah's involvement in the meeting is not merely symbolic, as the state has already demanded 40% of the net profit in its declaration and the technical MA63 process will address other federal-state issues that have yet to be resolved.