KUala Lumpur: The unity government is committed to realising matters agreed upon in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) to safeguard the wellbeing of the people of Sabah and Sarawak, says deputy prime minister Fadillah Yusof.
He said many efforts and items agreed upon in MA63 had been implemented within one month of the formation of the unity government led by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
“As an inclusive Malaysia, it is our responsibility to implement MA63 as agreed upon by our previous leaders. That is the prime minister’s message to me,” he said on Bernama TV’s Ruang Bicara programme last night.
“Many matters had been discussed, and some had been implemented during the previous administration, but there are still many things left to do.
“Within one month (of the new administration), we have agreed to several measures, including the transfer of gas supply (regulatory power) to Sabah and special grants under Article 112D of the Federal Constitution. However, there are several matters that we hope will be resolved soon.”
Fadillah said the increase in allocation for Sabah and Sarawak in Budget 2023 proved the government’s commitment and determination to improve the welfare of the people and development in the two states.
He said the government’s focus now was on infrastructure development. “Our priority is to speed up the development of social amenities, water supply and other basic facilities.
“The important thing is that there is commitment and increase in allocations.”
In Budget 2023, some RM6.5 billion has been allocated for Sabah compared to RM5.16 billion in 2022, while Sarawak is to receive RM5.6 billion compared to RM4.67 billion the year before.
