KOTA KINABALU: More engagements will be carried out with chambers and professional bodies here to provide them with updates on the Special Council on Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MKMA63).
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak Affairs) Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili said such engagements were crucial to ensure these groups of people are “in-the -know” on works done, particularly that related to restoring the rights of Sabahans and Sarawakians as enshrined in the MA63.
“The MKMA63 is chaired by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin himself, where three working committees were formed to oversee perennial issues affecting both Sabah and Sarawak, namely equal status, large presence of illegal immigrants and socio-economy.
“These works involve a lot of policy, regulations and law changes, as well as amending state enactments. We have, to date, successfully reached breakthroughs on two major issues, and we hope to solve many more soon,” said Ongkili.
He said this after receiving a call from the Registered Trustees of Sabah Action Body Advocating Rights (SABAR), led by its Board of Trustees chairman Datuk Dr Johan Arriffin Abdul Samad and Board of Directors chairman Datuk Henry Chok, at the Sabah and Sarawak Affairs Division’s (BHESS) office at Wisma SEDIA, here, today.
The two breakthroughs are returning full authority and control over the administration of the Ligitan and Sipadan islands to Sabah and handing over the control and management of Liquefied Petroleum Gas distribution to Sarawak.
Touching on SABAR, he said the association has a good framework for the purpose of knowing the Borneo rights.
At the event, Ongkili took the opportunity to update the delegates of the progress of MKMA63.
