MA63: Wan Junaidi advised to submit proposal on committee representation

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar should write an official letter to the government if he feels the special cabinet committee formed to review and coordinate the implementation of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) will not work in favour of Sabah and Sarawak, said Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Mohamed Hanipa Maidin.
He said if the Santubong MP was not pleased with the composition of the committee or it was not doing enough for Sabah and Sarawak, he could always submit a proposal as the current government was open to suggestions.
"We have no problem because the government is constantly listening to the people," he said in reply to a supplementary question from Wan Junaidi during the Dewan Rakyat sitting today.
Wan Junaidi had earlier questioned the lack of representation from Sabah and Sarawak in the committee as he feared with the poor representation, decisions could be exploited.
Elaborating Mohamed Hanipa said although the number of representatives from Sabah and Sarawak was seen to be few, those in the committee had the power to make important decisions on matters arising.
"Maybe the number is small but they have the authority and can make decisions. There is no point having so many representatives but they can't make decisions," he said.
On Oct 10, the government announced the establishment of the steering committee comprising 15 members headed by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
Among the members were Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Liew Vui Keong, Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal, Sarawak Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg, Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng, Economic Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali and Minister of Communications and Multimedia Gobind Singh Deo.
The committee is expected to meet in about a month in Putrajaya to determine the direction on MA63. — Bernama