MA63 discussion to be expedited, says Fadillah

Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) party whip, and senior minister of the new Federal government, Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said he had voiced the importance of MA63 to the prime minister during the first Cabinet meeting held yesterday, and the need to give Articles 1(2) and 160 of the Federal Constitution, a relook.

"In principle, the Prime Minister has agreed to give priority to incorporating MA63 into the Constitution, and the rights of Sabah and Sarawak will be returned to these states as agreed before," he said during a press conference after a post-Cabinet meeting today.

Fadillah, who is also the Works Minister, said from an administrative aspect, the matter had already been agreed upon and now, the focus was on the legal aspect.

Article 1(2) describes the states in the Federation including Sabah and Sarawak, while Article 160 describes the meaning of various terms used in the Federal Constitution.

Yesterday, Muhyiddin said the government agreed to a meeting to be held with Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Sabah and Sarawak Affairs), Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Johnity Ongkili to discuss several matters such as MA63.

Asked whether the discussion would include the issue of oil royalties, Fadillah said the matter would be looked at based on the Constitution.

"Oil royalties is something promised by the Pakatan Harapan government which had previously said it would give 20 per cent of oil royalties and return 50 per cent of taxes collected in Sabah and Sarawak.

"That was their (Pakatan Harapan) promise previously. That is not in the context of the Perikatan Nasional government but what is important, is giving MA63 a relook for recognition by the Federal government," he said.