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PETALING JAYA: The Malaysia Agreement of 1963 (MA63) must be supported for Sabah and Sarawak to be equal partners with Peninsular Malaysia, says former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad (Photo).
The dissatisfaction of some could be resolved if MA63 is recognized, said the 95-year-old, who was prime minister twice: once for 22 years and the second time for just 22 months.
“I still remember the formalization of Malaysia by Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman at the Merdeka Stadium on the morning of September 16, 1963.
“I was 38 years old then,” Dr. Mahathir said in a Facebook post on Wednesday (September 16) in conjunction with Malaysia Day.
He added that while he was proud that Malaya was joining forces with North Borneo (now known as Sabah), as well as Sarawak and Singapore to form “one great Malaysia,” he was also nervous at the time.
“I was also nervous because the formation received strong opposition from neighboring countries. Thank God, today is the 57th anniversary of Malaysia’s existence,” he said.
Dr. Mahathir added that Malaysia has suffered a lot and has come far.
“Singapore is gone, but the strength of the relationship between Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah and Sarawak has strengthened.
“In any large family, there will be dissatisfaction, and this must be taken into account and it is necessary to find a meeting point so that our relationship does not break down.
“That is why we call for full support for MA63 and accept Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah and Sarawak as equal partners – Selamat Hari Malaysia,” said Dr. Mahathir.
In recent years, the leaders of Sabah and Sarawak, including parliamentarians, have called for recognition of the MA63 by amending Article 1 (2) of the federal Constitution to restore the status of the two states as members associated with Peninsular Malaysia, from according to MA63.
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