PRESS STATEMENT
N19 LIKAS ASSEMBLYMAN ON THE STATEMENT BY THE MINISTER IN THE PRIME MINISTER'S DEPARTMENT (LAW) REGARDING MA63 AND OIL & GAS
I take note of the written statement by the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform), Dato’ Sri Azalina Othman Said, in the Dewan Rakyat on January 26, stating that the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) does not contain any provisions related to oil and gas.
As the Member of the N19 Likas State Assembly, I strongly disagree with that statement.
This statement clearly reflects a failure to understand the historical reality, the context of negotiations, and the true spirit of the formation of the Federation of Malaysia in 1963, particularly from the perspective of Sabah and Sarawak.
MA63 is not just a single document, but a framework of constitutional agreements that includes the Cobbold Commission Report, the Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC Report), guarantees of fiscal autonomy and resources, as well as the principles of federalism agreed upon before Sabah and Sarawak consented to join Malaysia.
The rights to the revenue and control of natural resources, including oil and gas, are part of the guarantees of state autonomy that form the basis of the agreement to establish Malaysia. Although the words “oil and gas” are not literally mentioned in the text of MA63, the spirit, intent, and structure of the agreement clearly recognize the state's rights to its resources.
Using a narrow argument based solely on the literal text, without considering the historical context and supporting documents of MA63, is an unfair approach, unconstitutionally in spirit, and contradicts the principles of federalism.
More concerning, such statements are made by a Minister responsible for law and institutional reform, while the issue of MA63 is a core issue of trust for the people of Sabah and Sarawak towards the Federation.
I would like to emphasize that:
1. MA63 must be interpreted holistically, not in isolation.
2. Sabah's rights to its resource revenues are a matter of historical justice, not a new political demand.
3. The Federal Government must respect the spirit of MA63, not seek narrow legal justifications to deny state rights.
I urge the concerned Minister to correct that statement and to open a more honest and factual dialogue with the leaders of Sabah and Sarawak.
Failing to understand MA63 is not just a technical weakness, but risks eroding the confidence of the people of Borneo in the commitment to reform and justice of the MADANI Federal government.
Sabah is not demanding more than what was promised.
We are only demanding what was agreed upon in 1963.
Tham Yun Fook
N19 Likas Assemblyman
