By Tham Soon Seong
PENANG, Nov 15: Unresolved issues related to the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) concerning the rights of the states of Sarawak and Sabah will continue to surface so long as a long-term solution is late in coming.
One issue, related to education, surfaced once again as reported by The Star earlier last week.
In the report, Federal Minister of Women, Family and Community Development Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri, spoke about the abolition of year six assessment (UPSR) since 2019 and that the Sarawak Government was thinking of holding its own Standard 6 assessment system.
The minister went one step further to argue that the proposal was based on its devolution of power and further emphasised that “We are not breaking away,” and that the move was in line with MA63.
A strong statement that could have far reaching implications. The next day, a politician from the Sabah People’s Party (PRS), assemblyman Assafal P. Alian, echoed similar sentiment.
Minister Nancy Shukri’s statement, “we are not breaking away,” brings us back to the spirit of MA63. Does it mean that if the decision of Sarawak is not met, it may consider options that could have serious implications for our federation?
If that is the case, one would have to examine one of the 18 Points Memorandum signed between the British, Malaya and Sarawak, where Clause No. 7 clearly states: “Rights of Secession: there should be no right to secede from Malaysia”.
Despite the clear clause, subtle arguments have surfaced. On having Sarawak’s own education policy, Clause 14 of the 18 Points Memorandum, reads: “Education and Health – the existing health care and education system of Sarawak should be maintained and for this reason it should be under Sarawak Control” .
It is clear, that resolutions for the issues must be based on MA63, and read together with the 18 points Memorandum.
The MA63, which was signed some 60 years ago on the formation of Malaysia, has come under scrutiny many times, especially over concerns related to finance, petroleum rights, taxation and now education have been raised from time to time.
It is quite clear that the way forward would be to have very clear-minded politicians from both Peninsular Malaysia and the territories of Sabah and Sarawak to come together to find a long-term solution to preserve the sanctity of the Federation of Malaysia. The challenge would be to renegotiate a new agreement or at least an amended or extended MA63 to preserve the goodwill and well-being of our 60-year old nation.
— WE