KUCHING, May 24 — Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg today said he believes that the federal government is taking serious efforts in resolving the long overdue Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) issues.

He said this was proven by the establishment of the MA63 Implementation Action Council (MTPMA63) chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

"This council is supported by the technical committee chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof while the coordination committee is chaired by the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department in charge of Sabah and Sarawak Affairs and Special Functions Datuk Armizan Ali,” he said in his winding speech in the Sarawak State Assembly here.

He added the inaugural MTPMA63 meeting was held on January 20, 2023 in Kuching, and decided among others, the appointment of the Sarawak State Financial Secretary as the representative of the Sarawak government in the Inland Revenue Board (IRB).

He said the state Public Works Department and Drainage and Irrigation Department are recognised as technical departments and are authorised to implement federal-funded projects in Sarawak with a limit of up to RM50 million.

Abang Johari said MTPMA63 also agreed to review of Financial Provisions of Special Grants under Article 112D of the Federal Constitution to increase the amount of up to RM300 million; and the upgrading of the Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security Complex (ICQS) at the Sarawak-Kalimantan border.

Abang Johari said the prime minister had given preliminary approval for an additional allocation of RM1 billion to upgrade the infrastructure, improve security and increase the capability of the ICQS complex at the borders of Sarawak and Sabah.

"We are now working closely with the federal government to implement the projects,” he said.

The issue concerning MA63 implementation was among those which were frequently raised by the state lawmakers during the debate on the royal address by Governor Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud.

They called on the federal government to fully implement MA63 without delay.