(Bandar Seri Begawan/Kuala Lumpur, 24th Comprehensive Report) With rumors that Sarawak may hold local council elections as soon as next month, Prime Minister Anwar has pledged that his federal government will continue to strengthen its close relationship with Sarawak and Sabah based on mutual respect and trust.
On Saturday (August 22), Anwar attended the 27th Malaysia-Brunei Leaders’ Consultation with Sarawak Premier Abang Johari and Sabah Chief Minister Hajiji in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei. The three also took the opportunity to have a meeting locally.
Anwar posted on Facebook that during their meeting, they discussed the preparations for the Implementation Action Council Meeting of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63). The meeting is expected to take place in several weeks in Kota Kinabalu, the capital of Sabah.
In an earlier interview with Al Jazeera, Anwar stated that he would use force to deal with any states attempting to secede from the Malaysian Federation. This remark caused much discussion in East Malaysia. Anwar’s meeting with Abang Johari and Hajiji is seen as a move to appease public opinion and reassure the people of Sabah and Sarawak, while stabilizing Pakatan Harapan’s prospects in the upcoming Sarawak elections.
Anwar said: "We exchanged views on recent issues, focusing on how to enhance cooperation between the federal government, Sarawak, and Sabah to benefit the people and promote more equitable and balanced development."
It is understood that Anwar will attend the second preparatory meeting of the Implementation Action Council for the 1963 Malaysia Agreement next Friday (28th) in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, as well as the official meeting scheduled for September 11 in Kota Kinabalu. The meetings are expected to discuss how the federal government will implement the rights of Sabah and Sarawak as stipulated in the Malaysia Agreement 1963, including returning 40% of net tax revenue collected annually to Sabah and Sarawak, increasing the proportion of Sabahans and Sarawakians holding positions in the civil service and federal government, and narrowing the gaps in healthcare and education between East and West Malaysia.
Malaya, Singapore, Sabah, and Sarawak signed the Malaysia Agreement in 1963 to form the Malaysian Federation, with the four regions enjoying equal status. However, after Singapore left the federation in 1965, the Malaysian parliament in 1976 amended the constitution to downgrade Sabah and Sarawak's status from "state" (region) to "state" (province), equal to the 11 states of Peninsular Malaysia—causing dissatisfaction among the people of Sabah and Sarawak and sparking separatist sentiments for independence from the federation.
In December 2021, the Malaysian parliament amended the constitution to clarify that the "regions" (states) of the federation comprise the Malayan region (11 peninsular states) and the Bornean region (Sabah and Sarawak), thereby restoring the original status granted to Sabah and Sarawak. Since taking office in 2022, Anwar has repeatedly emphasized the comprehensive implementation of the Malaysia Agreement 1963.
Meanwhile, The Borneo Post reported that the Women’s Wing Deputy Chairperson of the ruling Sarawak party, Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), Sharifah, hinted that the Sarawak elections may be brought forward to within this year.
Speaking at a party event on Saturday, she said the state elections could be held "next month or at any time," and could "arrive very soon," so party members must prepare early.
The last Sarawak state assembly election was held in December 2021. The current term will expire in February next year, and according to law, elections must be held by April next year at the latest.
Anwar posted on Facebook that during their meeting, they discussed the preparations for the Implementation Action Council Meeting of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63). The meeting is expected to take place in several weeks in Kota Kinabalu, the capital of Sabah.
In an earlier interview with Al Jazeera, Anwar stated that he would use force to deal with any states attempting to secede from the Malaysian Federation. This remark caused much discussion in East Malaysia. Anwar’s meeting with Abang Johari and Hajiji is seen as a move to appease public opinion and reassure the people of Sabah and Sarawak, while stabilizing Pakatan Harapan’s prospects in the upcoming Sarawak elections.
Anwar said: "We exchanged views on recent issues, focusing on how to enhance cooperation between the federal government, Sarawak, and Sabah to benefit the people and promote more equitable and balanced development."
It is understood that Anwar will attend the second preparatory meeting of the Implementation Action Council for the 1963 Malaysia Agreement next Friday (28th) in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, as well as the official meeting scheduled for September 11 in Kota Kinabalu. The meetings are expected to discuss how the federal government will implement the rights of Sabah and Sarawak as stipulated in the Malaysia Agreement 1963, including returning 40% of net tax revenue collected annually to Sabah and Sarawak, increasing the proportion of Sabahans and Sarawakians holding positions in the civil service and federal government, and narrowing the gaps in healthcare and education between East and West Malaysia.
Malaya, Singapore, Sabah, and Sarawak signed the Malaysia Agreement in 1963 to form the Malaysian Federation, with the four regions enjoying equal status. However, after Singapore left the federation in 1965, the Malaysian parliament in 1976 amended the constitution to downgrade Sabah and Sarawak's status from "state" (region) to "state" (province), equal to the 11 states of Peninsular Malaysia—causing dissatisfaction among the people of Sabah and Sarawak and sparking separatist sentiments for independence from the federation.
In December 2021, the Malaysian parliament amended the constitution to clarify that the "regions" (states) of the federation comprise the Malayan region (11 peninsular states) and the Bornean region (Sabah and Sarawak), thereby restoring the original status granted to Sabah and Sarawak. Since taking office in 2022, Anwar has repeatedly emphasized the comprehensive implementation of the Malaysia Agreement 1963.
Meanwhile, The Borneo Post reported that the Women’s Wing Deputy Chairperson of the ruling Sarawak party, Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), Sharifah, hinted that the Sarawak elections may be brought forward to within this year.
Speaking at a party event on Saturday, she said the state elections could be held "next month or at any time," and could "arrive very soon," so party members must prepare early.
The last Sarawak state assembly election was held in December 2021. The current term will expire in February next year, and according to law, elections must be held by April next year at the latest.