Kuching: Calls from some quarters to cancel the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) demonstrate a lack of historical understanding, the Sarawak State Assembly was told today. Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier's Department (Law, MA63 and State-Federal Relations) Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali emphasized that such calls are also a direct challenge to the constitutional fabric of the Federation.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Sharifah Hasidah highlighted the significance of MA63 as the foundational document that legally established the Federation of Malaysia, asserting that without it, the Federation lacks a constitutional basis. She stated that any proposal to cancel or abolish MA63 is therefore constitutionally indefensible.

During Question Time, in response to Chieng Jin Ek (GPS-Bukit Assek) regarding the current negotiation status of MA63 for Sarawak, Sharifah Hasidah provided updates on the matter. She noted that one of the partially resolved issues is the financial review under Article 112D of the Federal Constitution.

She further mentioned that as an interim measure, the Federal Government has agreed to increase the Special Grant for Sarawak from RM300 million in 2024 to RM600 million in 2025, over a five-year period. Additionally, Sharifah Hasidah expressed hope for the swift approval of the Special Grant Formula proposed to the Federal Government.