Minister Mustapha Sakmud welcomes increased senate debate on MA63, calling it a positive step to elevate the 1963 agreement as a national agenda item.
KUALA LUMPUR: Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak Affairs) Datuk Mustapha Sakmud has welcomed the active participation of senators in debating the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
He described their involvement as an important effort to elevate the issue as a national agenda item and enhance public understanding of Malaysia’s foundation.
“I find it very encouraging that more people are willing to discuss the MA63 issue, and we have managed to elevate it as a national agenda item,” he said when winding up a debate in the Dewan Negara.
Mustapha noted that some of the senators actively raising MA63 issues are from Peninsular Malaysia, which he called a positive development for giving proper meaning to the core issues of Malaysia’s establishment.
To improve the official MA63 negotiation platform, the government has established the Malaysia Agreement 1963 Implementation Action Council, chaired by the Prime Minister.
Mustapha said 13 of the 29 matters discussed have been resolved, with nine finalised during the current administration.
The government has also launched a Dashboard portal on the implementation status of matters under MA63, integrated via the Sabah and Sarawak Affairs Division (BHESS) portal.
To date, more than 6,000 users have accessed the portal since its launch on Jan 28.
In a separate winding-up speech, Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) M. Kulasegaran addressed the establishment of Ombudsman Malaysia.
He said the new body will replace the Public Complaints Bureau and the Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission through a planned transition.
Ombudsman Malaysia will be an independent federal statutory body with autonomy in appointments, administration, and investigations.
“The Ombudsman Bill, which is currently being drafted, will provide clear legal authority covering the scope of enforcement powers,” Kulasegaran said.
The bill will also include provisions for adequate financial and human resources to ensure the institution functions effectively and with integrity.
