Don’t label Sabah, Sarawak’s MA63 demands as separatism, says Salleh

Former Sabah chief minister Salleh Said Keruak has cautioned against labeling the demands of Sabah and Sarawak to fulfill the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) as separatist movements. Salleh emphasized that these demands should be understood within the context of the historical foundations of the Malaysian federation and the historical, political, and economic circumstances that have shaped the regional movements in question.

He cited examples from various countries, such as Quebec, Alberta, Catalonia, Scotland, and Greenland, to illustrate that regional movements can arise from diverse political, economic, and cultural factors. Salleh stressed that while some regional movements seek full independence, others focus on enhanced representation, fiscal autonomy, or greater control over local resources.

He argued that a strong nation must balance national unity with the rights and aspirations of its regions. Currently, the Sabah and Sarawak affairs minister, Mustapha Sakmud, reported that 16 out of the 29 key issues under MA63 have been fully resolved, three partially resolved, and 10 remain under negotiation, including issues related to special grants, parliamentary representation, and constitutional rights.

Brief written by urgent.news from Free Malaysia Today's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.