NOW that the cabinet paper on Sabah Sarawak autonomy has been tabled, special committees will be formed to take the issue forward.

Autonomy talks involving the future of Sabah and Sarawak enters its next stage once three special committees are constituted soon.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department and de facto Law Minister Datuk Liew Vui Keong said the committee will be given up to six months from the date of announcement of its line-up to complete this round of deliberations.

Speaking during BFM’s Breakfast Grille on Tuesday, Liew said the make-up of the committee is now being finalised and awaiting appointment.

He added, three separate committees will be formed to tackle the specific tasks which he indicated was to look at Technical issues, a Working Committee and finally, a Steering Committee.

Liew said the committees will be headed by the Prime Minister as chairman, with the involvement of all Chief ministers of Sabah and Sarawak, the Attorney-General, top legal officers from the two states, cabinet ministers and the judiciary.

“This will enhance the status of Sabah and Sarawak with the Malaysian Agreement 1963 in respect of regional developments affecting both states.

“We want Sabahans and Sarawakians to feel they belong to Malaysia," he said.

Liew said more effort needs to be done to provide employment opportunities in Sabah and Sarawak.

Towards this effort, he said, the implementation of RM1,050 minimal wage for the entire country was "a good move in the right direction.”

Liew also touched on the status of illegal immigrants faced by Sabah and what solutions he proposed to tackle the issue.

He suggested that the illegals need to be issued with relevant documentation and their rights clearly indicated, so that they will not be left in limbo.

“There are those who have been born here and have spent all their lives in Malaysia. If they are not properly accounted for and issued with relevant documents, they will pose many problems later on,” he said.

Liew ended the interview by stating his desire to see Malaysians living in peace and harmony and overcome our regional differences.

“There is no place on earth we can call home except for Malaysia,” he said.