Malaysia has fully resolved 13 out of 29 matters under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) negotiation platform, officials said on June 25. [1, 2] Another five issues received partial or interim resolutions following decisions at the MA63 Technical Committee meeting on March 2. [1, 3, 2]
Four of the partially settled matters relate to expanding state public service posts under Article 112 of the Federal Constitution, as well as health, education, and the Borneonisation of the federal public service in Sabah and Sarawak. [1, 3, 2] Eleven other outstanding issues remain under close monitoring by the Sabah and Sarawak Affairs Division, which acts as secretariat, working with stakeholders across federal and state governments. [1, 3, 2]
The proposal to increase parliamentary seats for Sabah and Sarawak to 35% remains unresolved and under discussion. [1, 3, 2] Minister Datuk Mustapha Sakmud noted that any electoral redelineation can only be executed by the Election Commission (EC) after the completion of an eight-year cycle. [1, 3, 2] He also said the change requires constitutional amendments to the Dewan Rakyat’s composition under Article 46, needing a two-thirds majority in the House. [1]
"The matter falls under the purview of the EC pursuant to the 13th Schedule and Article 113 of the Federal Constitution. Furthermore, it requires constitutional amendments to the composition of the Dewan Rakyat under Article 46, which demands a two-thirds majority endorsement from the house," Mustapha said during the Dewan Rakyat session when responding to a question on June 25. [1]
The MA63 Technical Committee meeting on March 2 delivered decisions on the five partial or interim resolutions, marking progress in several administrative and constitutional areas. [1, 3, 2] The parliamentary seat increase issue will require constitutional and electoral procedures before any changes can occur. [1, 2]
