Kota Kinabalu: Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) President Datuk Seri Yong Teck Lee (pic) said the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) has been resolved in Sabah’s favour after 16 years of political struggle, with the focus now shifting fully to implementation.
He said MA63 is no longer a matter for debate and that both the Sabah and Federal governments must ensure full compliance.
“Failure to implement MA63 will result in public dissatisfaction, while successful implementation will strengthen political stability and harmony in Malaysia,” he said.
Yong who was formerly the Chief Minister said SAPP first brought MA63 into national focus during the Batu Sapi by-election in October 2010, compelling the then Barisan Nasional (BN) government to recognise it as a national issue.
“Although SAPP did not win the by-election, the campaign succeeded in placing MA63 firmly in the national mainstream. Today, all political parties recognise its importance,” he said.
He noted that the 2008 general election created a strategic opportunity for Sabah and Sarawak when BN lost its two-thirds parliamentary majority and depended on Members of Parliament from both states to form a simple majority government.
“This led to the establishment of a dedicated ministry to oversee MA63 compliance, reflecting the federal government’s reliance on Sabah and Sarawak,” Yong said.
On party leadership development, he said half of SAPP’s current Supreme Council members were graduates of youth camps held more than 25 years ago.
“This long-term cultivation of leadership resilience is part of SAPP’s political culture, and some of these leaders are expected to become Members of Parliament and Sabah Legislative Assembly members in the future,” he said.
Yong also described Sabah’s political struggle as a “long march”, citing the declaration of Sabah Day in 2022 after 12 years of annual campaigning and the declassification of the Double Six Air Crash report in 2023 following 13 years of commemoration efforts.
He said the campaign for Borneonisation of the public service also took more than a decade, with most federal departments in Sabah now headed by Sabahans.
“A judicial review on MA63-related matters filed in 2012 and heard by the Federal Court in 2015, although unsuccessful, played a key role in raising public awareness and encouraging Sabahans in the public service to assert their rights,” he added.
Looking ahead to 2030, Yong said three major issues remain unresolved – the return of Labuan to Sabah, the issuance of Sabah identity cards, and land reforms for Sabahans.
With MA63 now entering the implementation phase, he said Sabah must focus on its geoeconomic positioning as the way forward amid shifting global dynamics.
“Sabah is not exempted from the global events. Many of us do not yet realise that a new world order is descending upon us as international laws are being re-written.
“Global trends are being shaped. Economic and trade relations are being weaponised by powerful nations. Technology, energy and food have been weaponised against civilian populations,” he said.
While Malaysia has limited influence over these global changes, Yong said Sabah can adapt by enhancing competitiveness, asserting territorial rights and engaging more strategically and effectively in regional and international economic relations.
“Understanding these trends is essential for Sabah’s long-term growth and prosperity,” he said.
