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

Former Sabah chief minister Salleh Said Keruak has stated that demands by Sabah and Sarawak for the fulfillment of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) should not be immediately labeled as separatist movements. In a statement today, Salleh emphasized the importance of understanding these demands within the context of the historical foundations of the Malaysian federation.

He highlighted key concerns of Sabah and Sarawak, including constitutional rights, regional representation, resource sharing, and political autonomy, which extend beyond mere identity politics. Salleh cited examples from various regions worldwide, such as Quebec, Alberta, Catalonia, Scotland, and Greenland, to demonstrate that regional movements can arise from diverse political, economic, and historical circumstances.

While some of these movements seek independence, others focus on enhanced self-governance, control over resources, or increased regional representation within the existing national framework. Salleh argued that a robust nation should successfully balance national unity with the rights and aspirations of its regions. In recent discussions, Sabah and Sarawak affairs minister Mustapha Sakmud reported that 16 out of 29 key issues under MA63 have been fully resolved, three have been partially resolved, and 10 remain under negotiation.

Outstanding matters include the review of the special grant under Article 112D of the Federal Constitution, increasing parliamentary representation for Sabah and Sarawak, and other constitutional rights and autonomy issues. The Sabah and Sarawak affairs division has initiated formal talks with the Election Commission to explore mechanisms for enhancing parliamentary representation for these two states.

MA63 serves as the founding document of Malaysia, guaranteeing the roles, rights, and interests of Sabah and Sarawak as essential partners in the federation.