Decision on MA63 by 11 Sarawakians will be delivered on May 25, says lead counsel Voon Lee Shan

KUCHING, May 6 — High Court Judge Justice Alexander Siew How Wai will deliver his judgment on May 25 in relation to a civil suit filed by 11 plaintiffs who sought to declare the Malaysia Agreement 1963 ( MA63) as an invalid agreement.

Lead counsel Voon Lee Shan said the court has informed him yesterday afternoon of the new delivery date.

The decision was supposed to be delivered by Justice Siew yesterday.

The 11 have named the governments of the United Kingdom, Malaysia and Sarawak in the suit filed in November 2021.

Voon said MA63 was used to form the federation of Malaysia, adding that without a valid MA63 there would not be Malaysia.

“The argument of the plaintiffs among others was that if MA63 was invalid then Malaysia could not be formed on 16 September 1963.

“We know that Sabahans and Sarawakians are eager to know the decision of the suit which had been deferred two times previously,” Voon said in a statement.

Voon, who is also the Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) president, said the decision on MA63 suit is of great importance for the people of Sabah and Sarawak and Justice Siew should be given ample time to write his decision.

He told Sabahans and Sarawakians that there are too many novel issues on points of law that the judge needs to examine carefully in his judgment.

“This is because his judgment could attract much interest among academicians, social activists, lawyers and politicians not only in Malaysia but in the world.

“I know many were not happy yesterday on the decision being further deferred at the last minute and were not informed of it early,” Voon said. He explained that it is normal for the court to defer judgement at the last minute if something important needs to be further examined by the judge.

“Justice Siew was a very polite and patient judge who gave me much room in my arguments for the plaintiffs.

“I was greatly relieved about his calm and the ways the judge was handling the suit,” Voon said.

The plaintiffs representing PBK are Dorus Katan Juman @ Theodorus Katan, Hugh Lawrence Zehnder, Xavier Ginafah Sidop, Jemain Uji, Belayong Nyandang, Kalai Sibok, Yu Chin Liik, Chieng Kung Chiew, Changieng Mapang, Ahmad Awang Ali, Alim @ Giovanni Adlim Mideh.