Deputy PM Fadillah says plans to restructure the MA63 technical committee will be finalised soon, following a recent cabinet reshuffle.
KUCHING: A proposal to restructure the Technical Committee of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 Implementation Action Council (MTPMA63) will be refined and finalised at its next meeting.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, who chairs the committee, said the plans require refinement following the December 16 cabinet reshuffle.
He explained the task now falls to the newly appointed Minister for Sabah and Sarawak Affairs, Datuk Mustapha Sakmud.
“I will present the details at the forthcoming technical meeting,” Fadillah told reporters after officiating the Shell LiveWIRE Malaysia National Awards 2025 ceremony.
“He [Mustapha] will first convene the discussions, after which the matter will be elevated to the Technical Committee.”
Fadillah said the proposal would ultimately be presented to the highest-level consultation council within MTPMA63.
He was addressing a recent call from Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian for the committee to directly involve the Finance Minister, the Economic Planning Unit (EPU), and the Public Service Department.
Fadillah confirmed that discussions on the proposal are already underway.
He noted that representatives from the Ministry of Finance and EPU are already participating in the committee.
On other MA63 matters, he said talks concerning an increase in parliamentary seats for Sabah and Sarawak remain in progress.
He explained the issue involves both legal interpretation and the need to secure a two-thirds majority in Parliament.
Fadillah added there is broad agreement in principle on increasing the number of seats.
“The outcome depends on the ongoing negotiations,” he said.
He noted that should the increase exceed a 25% threshold, it would require the support of two-thirds of Parliament.
“That is the main challenge,” Fadillah stated.
He concluded that further engagement on the matter is necessary.
