KUCHING: Three working committees under the Special Council on Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) will present reports and recommendations on matters discussed at the committee level next week, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said.

He said the reports will be presented by the Partners Working Committee, Sabah and Sarawak Security Working Committee and the Socio-Economic Working Committee.

“The establishment of these three working committees aims to recommend to the MA63 Special Council on proposed solutions to specific issues related to legislation for partners, state security and socio-economic matters in line with the rights of Sabah and Sarawak in the national legal framework,” he said.

Speaking at the State Banquet at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly new building here tonight, he said there were several proposals involving amendments to the Federal Constitution on the rights of Sabah and Sarawak which had been scrutinised by the Partners Working Committee.

“Matters related to immigration matters, national registration, border control, illegal immigrants and the encroachment of foreign fishermen in the Exclusive Economic Zone, have been discussed by the Sabah and Sarawak Security Working Committee," he said.

The prime minister said matters related to Sarawak's socio-economic development such as poverty issues, road infrastructure, health, education, Internet and telecommunication access, land charges and rentals under the Sarawak Land Ordinance and special grants to Sarawak under Article 112D of the Federal Constitution had also been discussed by the Socio-Economic Working Committee.

“I have high hopes that arising issues can be resolved amicably, which in turn will help strengthen ties between the Federal Government and the Sarawak Government in the interest of the people,” he said.

Muhyiddin, who arrived here this morning for a two-day working visit to Sarawak, will continue his programme tomorrow with breakfast at Restoran Sepinang Sari, a restaurant famous among the local community for its delicious Mi Sapi Hj Salleh along Jalan Satok here.

He will then participate in the PRIHATIN and PENJANA programme at Medan Niaga Satok before leaving for the Samarahan Division for the Ziarah Prihatin programme in Kampung Sindang Baru and a meeting with community leaders at Dewan Perguruan Tun Abd Razak in Kota Samarahan.

He will also perform Friday prayers at the Darul Ikhlas Mosque in Muara Tuang, after which he will attend a luncheon with community leaders at a hotel here before concluding his visit by inspecting the Sarawak General Hospital upgrading project.

-- BERNAMA