KOTA KINABALU, Sept 11 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim wants the implementation of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) to become part of the national narrative rather than being viewed solely as an issue concerning Sabah and Sarawak.
He said the approach was important to ensure Malaysians understood that the government’s commitment to MA63 formed part of the Madani government’s national policy and was closely linked to the country’s development, stability and unity.
Anwar said this must be understood and embraced by people in Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak as part of a national policy, commitment and narrative aimed at strengthening the country.
“I have proposed that discussions on MA63 be made part of the national narrative. It is very important because otherwise, it becomes a sectoral issue.
“Every year, we have to hold separate discussions on Sabah and Sarawak. No. This is a national commitment about development, stability, and what we promised when Malaysia was formed.
“This must be firmly established as a national narrative. We need to encourage Malaysians not to speak only about their race, party or group, but to engage in a broader discourse that strengthens the nation,” he told a press conference after chairing the first 2026 meeting of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 Implementation Action Council (MTPMA63) at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) here today.
Meanwhile, a review of the Special Grant under Article 112D of the Federal Constitution was among four key issues discussed at the meeting.
Anwar said the other matters were strengthening border security, increasing posts and the Borneonisation of the federal public service, and increasing the number of parliamentary seats in Sabah and Sarawak.
He stressed that MA63 was not merely a historical record or a document commemorated each year, but a national trust and commitment that must be fulfilled with sincerity, fairness and full responsibility.
“What has been agreed upon must be implemented, while matters that remain unresolved must continue to be negotiated with wisdom, sincerity and a spirit of consensus,” he said in a post on Facebook.
The meeting, which focused on progress in implementing MA63, was also attended by Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg and other leaders from the federal and state governments.
Anwar said people in Peninsular Malaysia should not view additional allocations or measures implemented under MA63 as merely special considerations for Sabah and Sarawak.
He said the federal government was committed to providing the widest possible space for discussions with the Sabah and Sarawak governments in a spirit of unity to ensure the country’s prosperity was enjoyed fairly by all Malaysians.
Meanwhile, Abang Johari backed the proposal to place MA63 within a national framework, saying it would align provisions enshrined in the Federal Constitution with efforts to strengthen Malaysia’s unity.
“We want to align what is enshrined in the Constitution with the unity of Malaysia as a united nation, a united Malaysia, as we continue our efforts to develop the country,” he said.
He said the approach was more practical in balancing the interests of the federal government, Sabah and Sarawak, including in matters of finance and national development.
