KUCHING, Jan 20 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today said he will refer the status of Sarawak and Sabah in the Federation of Malaysia to the Malay Rulers as the matter will involve amending the Federal Constitution.

He said the principle under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) was that the country contained the federated Malay states, Sarawak, and Sabah.

"This is the terminology on technical positions because the peninsula consists of states, and then Sarawak and Sabah.

"I certainly refer to this view as it involves the Federal Constitution and therefore, the views of the Malay Rulers are important before it is submitted to the federal Cabinet for discussion and consideration.

"However, even though there is no change in the terminology, the status is clear that Peninsular Malaysia is one entity, Sarawak another entity and Sabah is one entity,” the prime minister told a press conference after chairing the MA63 implementation action committee at the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly complex here.

However, Anwar stressed that the status of Sabah and Sarawak would not affect their positions in the federation as stated in the MA63.

"We need to respect the process because any change in the terminology must be referred to the Malay Rulers first.

"I have not referred the matter to the Malay Rulers, only that I have made an initial discussion with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong,” he said.

He said he and Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg and Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor are very clear on the positions of the three entities.

Recently, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had referred to Sarawak and Sabah as regions, not states, when deliberating a speech at the Umno general assembly.

Former prime ministers such as Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin also referred to Sarawak and Sabah as regions.

State leaders such Abang Johari and former chief minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem had called for the amendment to the Federation Constitution to identify Sarawak as a region and equal in status to Peninsular Malaysia.

Local rights activists have also made similar calls to the federal government, especially during the state and federal elections.

Among those attending the MA63 meeting were Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, Abang Johari, Hajiji Noor, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak Affairs) Datuk Armizan Ali, and Sarawak State Legislative Assembly Speaker Tan Sri Asfia Awang Nasar.